NEGATIVE REACTIONS to Muslim students in Ireland are increasing, according to the president of a major Islamic student group.
Speaking to Metro Éireann ahead of an event in Dublin marking the end of Islam Awareness Week, the president of the Federation of Islamic Student Societies (Fosis) in the UK and Ireland, Faisal Hanjra, commented: “We don’t have a formal reporting system, but anecdotally there has been an increase in reports of negative feedback.”
He said this increase was particularly notable in the UK, but also evident in Ireland.
The student leader underlined that many non-Muslims were learning about Islam “by default”, with the religion linked to numerous instances of international terrorism.
However, he added that negative reactions to Muslims must be contrasted with the “overwhelmingly positive” interactions that predominate.
Hanjra also warned that Ireland should “learn from the mistakes of other countries”, and predicted that An Garda Síochána’s ban on religious headwear such as the hijab, or headscarf, worn by Muslim women will likely come under further scrutiny as young Irish Muslims seek to enter the force
“The rights of religious minorities must be protected,” said Hanjra.
He also said France’s proposed partial ban on the burqa – a face covering worn by a minority of Muslim women – was out of line with European values.
“In Europe we have certain basic values we need to hold onto, and one is the right to practice one’s religion as long as it doesn’t compromise on the rights of others,” he commented.
A French parliamentary commission has recommended a ban on the burqa from public places, and French President Nicholas Sarkozy has previously described the burqa as “a sign of subservience”.
