Recent threats targeting three Mosques in Oslo have plunged European Muslims into a state of fear for their safety and security. This foiled terror plot, echo the heinous Christchurch terrorist attack of 2019, where 51 worshippers were murdered.
Rooted in the abhorrent far-right Great Replacement conspiracy theory and far-right extremism, these threats expose the surge in Islamophobia sweeping across Europe, casting a dark shadow over the fundamental rights and safety of Muslim citizens. Norway itself bore witness to such terror in 2011, when Anders Breivik perpetrated a terrorist attack, claiming the lives of 77 individuals. Breivik’s attack was fuelled by rampant Islamophobia, as outlined in his manifesto where he advocated for the mass expulsion of Muslims from Europe.
During the sacred month of Ramadan, a time for spiritual reflection and devotion, Muslims should be able to practice their faith without fear or intimidation. Yet the spectre of violence roams largely, threatening the safety of our communities. Less than a month ago, we commemorated the fifth anniversary of the Christchurch terror attack in New Zealand, only to find ourselves confronted with the same vile hate embodied in these dangerous threats.
We call upon the Norwegian authorities to treat these events with utmost seriousness and to take decisive action to prevent potential Islamophobic attacks. The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST)’s decision to arm the police is a minimum measure, however, more must be done to proportionately address the threat posed by poisonous ideologies sowing division and hatred.
Yet, it is deeply troubling that the PST1 has not classified these threats as terrorism, raising serious concerns about the adequacy of responses to the rising tide of Islamophobia and far-right extremism.
FEMYSO stands in solidarity with our member organisation Norges Unge Muslimer (NUM) and expresses deep concern for the safety of Norwegian Muslims. FEMYSO President Hania Chalal stated that “These threats constitute only a symptom of a major disease eroding the democratic fabric of Europe: Islamophobia. At its worst, Muslims are left vulnerable and in fear for their lives, which is intolerable in our European societies.”
Moreover, the inadequate data on hate crimes against Muslims in Europe highlights the pressing need for more firm policy action. With many countries lacking a specific category for such crimes and others failing to record them all together2, the reported numbers, such as Germany’s 610 cases, Sweden’s 500 cases3, and the Netherlands’ 161, likely represent only a fraction of the actual crimes.
Failure to act decisively and urgently will pose an even greater risk to our collective security. The scourge of Islamophobia extends beyond Norway’s borders, plaguing nations across Europe.
We demand concrete measures to be taken to protect places of worship and urge European leaders to confront Islamophobia head-on and ensure the safety of their respective Muslim communities.
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Notes :
1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network organisation for 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 European countries, and is the leading voice for European Muslim youth, developing and empowering them, and working to build a more diverse, cohesive and vibrant Europe.
2. For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org
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