On 8 June 2018, the Austrian PM introduced an intriguing new concept, “parallel societies”, to close several mosques and extradite its related imams and their families (Guardian). The Wiki page for a parallel society refers to the German federal website for political education (BBP) for its definition:
“In the public debate, “parallel societies” combine the idea of large, ethnically homogenous population groups that exclude themselves from the majority society: spatially, socially and culturally.” (Google Translate)
In my mind, parts of Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris qualify for this definition of a “parallel society”. However, what’s the difference with other ethnic neighbourhoods such as Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Australia, Little India, Little Italy, Little Odessa, Little Poland, and/or the Jewish enclaves in cities like Amsterdam or Antwerp?
The difference is in this sentence: “The government’s announcement came on the heels of an investigation by national law enforcement agencies to determine if radicals had infiltrated the country’s mosques and were working to undermine religious co-existence.” (source)
Note LO: bold marking and underlining in quote by me.
The Turkish President’s response indeed suggests this undermining of religious co-existence: “These measures taken by the Austrian prime minister are, I fear, leading the world towards a war between the cross and the crescent.” (eg, DW, France24)
The Austrian PM’s warning for “parallel societies, political Islam and radicalisation” could be seen as a disapproval of permissive societies like Belgium (Molenbeek), in which “parallel societies, political Islam and radicalisation” created Europe’s main “terror recruiting ground“.
The Political Islam always hides between one of its 2 pillars: Politics and Religion. Any attack on the Political Islam either blames a lack of civil rights (eg, freedom of speech) in the West (Politics), or is deemed to be discriminatory or even racist against Islam (Religion).
Obviously, it’s ironical that civil rights and/or religious freedom are often absent in these same countries that are blaming the West. Hence, a typical case of reverse psychology and projection from a victim role.
Europe is struggling with the flip side of its freedom of religion and its freedom of speech. These freedoms are, however, never ever unlimited; especially when such freedoms collide (eg, Colorado baker), or are used for abusing other freedoms (eg, hate speech by imams).
“Multiculturalism leads to parallel societies, and therefore multiculturalism remains a grand delusion.” A 2015 quote by Angela Merkel, German Chancellor.
Parallel (1996) by Bad Religion – artists, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise
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