Muslim immigrants: A cold shoulder for a bad reputation

[T-Faz]

After the great Messina, another tsunami has embarked on the shores of Italy. But this time, it is not water that is causing problems.

26,000 immigrants belonging mainly to Tunisia and Libya have arrived on the island of Lampedusa – a number larger than the total population of the island. Earlier, Italy had taken responsibility for 20,000 immigrants.

As the immigrants keep pouring onto the shores of Italy, it is looking towards neighbouring Schengen countries to lend a helping hand. The Italian government has decided to issue a six month Schengen visa to these immigrants, a move that has given jitters to the European nations. Some are calling it the ‘mafia method’ of Italy.

Fearful France

France is already struggling to create jobs for its people, and has probably been most skeptical of the decision taken by Italy. The expulsion of Romanians a few months ago was a clear indication that immigrants are not wanted in France. The recent ban on the hijab reinforces this ideology. So it can be said that France cannot be persuaded to take these immigrants even though most of them claim to have French relatives.

France has tightened the control of documents and is taking all necessary measures to ensure that these immigrants do not enter their territory.

Ambassadorial Austria

Austria might not be as hostile to immigrants as France, but stands firm that it is not going to take them in. It has warned Italy that if it presses them on this issue, they will be forced to take the same measures as France.

“Italy is a nation that can still show a bit more goodwill to seriously resolve the issue”, said their interior minister, a clear indication that they want Italy to deal with these immigrants themselves.

Generous Germans

Germany considers them ‘economic immigrants’ who have come to Europe just to earn their livelihood. Germany is probably the only country in Europe which is still welcoming people from Asia and Africa for education and career opportunities. If it does not accept these immigrants, the probability of other countries taking accepting them is pretty bleak.

Who’s to blame?

Other countries have also shown their concern on this issue. The Spanish interior minister has pointed out that taking these immigrants “will pave the way for crime”, which is not acceptable. Italy and France are patrolling the seas to prevent more immigrants from reaching Italy.

We can blame these countries for not showing enough sensitivity or blame the dictators of the respective countries for bringing misery to their people. But I feel that as Muslims, we have ourselves to blame for being so corrupt and deceiving that no one wants to give us refuge, even during dire situations.

Muslim communities in European countries have always had a huge share in illegal activities. Another important factor for reluctance is the burden that immigrants can be on the economy. More people are losing jobs in these countries and it will be difficult for the government to provide a means of income for everyone.

Let’s face it, as Pakistanis, we are not ready to take in Afghan immigrants because of the worsening law and order situation and the impact that an influx would have on our economy.

We can’t blame the Europeans for sharing the same concerns.

Muslim immigrants: A cold shoulder for a bad reputation – The Express Tribune Blog

 

[KS]

It is upto the host countries to accept or reject the immigrants on whatever criteria - even religion - and no one can fault them.

 

[Hyde]

very good article

I guess Italy must consult with Scandinavian countries for help. They have extremely low unemployment rate and abundance of money to spend on its people. Ask help from Norway, Sweden and Finland and who knows if they would be willing to absorb couple of thousands of people. They can, they have low population but vast land and resources to accommodate these immigrants. Can't say the same about Denmark since the situation in Denmark is not same as other Scandinavian countries.

Any European country is not in position to take more illegal immigrants, they are simply effed up after the recession but the situation in Scandinavia is better than its neighbors

 

[LaBong]

Why not Arab countries shelter them? They have money and sparsely populated as well.

 

[iPakMan]

very good article

I guess Italy must consult with Scandinavian countries for help. They have low extremely unemployment rate and abundance of money to spend on its people. Ask help from Norway, Sweden and Finland and who knows if they would be willing to absorb couple of thousands of people. They can, they have low population but vast land and resources to accommodate these immigrants. Can't say the same about Denmark since the situation in Denmark is not same as other Scandinavian countries.

Yeah they could but how would these countries benefit from uneducated and traumatized people fleeing Africa?

 

[BATMAN]

I think all immigrants shall be sent to Sarkozy.
He just earned 26000 votes for next elections.

 

[Hyde]

Why not Arab countries shelter them? They have money and sparsely populated as well.

Its more like a "dhol" (urdu wala)

Go Arab countries and you will find people begging on the streets. If they go to Arab countries, only beggars will join hands with beggars. You are not going to see positive change for these poor immigrants. Dubai and Qatar are economically strong but they are too small to handle these big issues

 

[KS]

Why not Arab countries shelter them? They have money and sparsely populated as well.

Mate those Gulf Arabs don't even treat their cousins from Syria,Jordan,Palestine as their equals.

Why would they care about the Maghrebis ?

 

[BATMAN]

Mate those Gulf Arabs don't even treat their cousins from Syria,Jordan,Palestine as their equals.

Why would they care about the Maghrebis ?

Immigrants are not from Morocco.

Sarkozy and USA has promised asylum and support to rebels so this is why they left their homes.

 

[Hyde]

Yeah they could but how would these countries benefit from uneducated and traumatized people fleeing Africa?

Well if they are hard working they can be given 6 months work-permit until the problems are not solved in Libya and Tunisia... and trust me it won't be difficult for them to find a good job in energy, shipping and steel industries of norway, sweden and finland. 26,000 immigrants mean there would be at least half the population under 18 or women or those who would not be working at all.

They need to create about 10,000 - 12,000 jobs and considering only 2% - 4% unemployment rate in the whole of Scandinavia, i think they will find job in these sectors easily. The government can create these jobs for them.

PS: Doesn't matter they can even rely upon benefits if these immigrants are willing to go back home after 6 months.

 

[LaBong]

Its more like a "dhol" (urdu wala)

Go Arab countries and you will find people begging on the streets. If they go to Arab countries, only beggars will join hands with beggars. You are not going to see positive change for these poor immigrants. Dubai and Qatar are economically strong but they are too small to handle these big issues

Mate those Gulf Arabs don't even treat their cousins from Syria,Jordan,Palestine as their equals.

Why would they care about the Maghrebis ?

I do think it has something to do with their way of life as well. 20 thousands aint a big number. Pakistani has been sheltering millions afghans, India sheltered Bangladeshis and now Sri Lankan Tamils. Arabs probably don't have the compassion for their neighbors.

 

[T-Faz]

very good article

I guess Italy must consult with Scandinavian countries for help. They have low extremely unemployment rate and abundance of money to spend on its people. Ask help from Norway, Sweden and Finland and who knows if they would be willing to absorb couple of thousands of people. They can, they have low population but vast land and resources to accommodate these immigrants. Can't say the same about Denmark since the situation in Denmark is not same as other Scandinavian countries.

Any European country is not in position to take more illegal immigrants, they are simply effed up after the recession but the situation in Scandinavia is better than its neighbors

You have a good point but a sudden influx of one particular kind always attracts hostility from the indigenous population. Similarly the Anti-Islam sentiment within Europe is at an all time high and this has caused even more problems for the large amount of Immigrants pouring in from a number of war effected Muslim countries.

There are a number of factors at play here and the fault lies with the immigrants as well as their hosts. A number of Muslims have failed to utilize all the resources available to them in these countries, be it education, career related or of interpersonal kind. Take for example the north Africans in France, they cause a lot of problems for the country and they themselves give others reasons to despise them. Of course you cannot stereotype all Muslims because there are many who are well integrated and have contributed a lot to the country of their migration.

The european countries have also failed in integrating the immigrants to a large extent because they never developed any frameworks specifically targeted towards Muslim migrants.

The problems are many but there should be a solution to this problem which could turn very ugly in the near future.

 

[KS]

Immigrants are not from Morocco.

Sarkozy and USA has promised asylum and support to rebels so this is why they left their homes.

And which birdie said only Moroccans are referred to as Maghrebis ?

 

[Hyde]

You have a good point but a sudden influx of one particular kind always attracts hostility from the indigenous population. Similarly the Anti-Islam sentiment within Europe is at an all time high and this has caused even more problems for the large amount of Immigrants pouring in from a number of war effected Muslim countries.

There are a number of factors at play here and the fault lies with the immigrants as well as their hosts. A number of Muslims have failed to utilize all the resources available to them in these countries, be it education, career related or of interpersonal kind. Take for example the north Africans in France, they cause a lot of problems for the country and they themselves give others reasons to despise them. Of course you cannot stereotype all Muslims because there are many who are well integrated and have contributed a lot to the country of their migration.

The european countries have also failed in integrating the immigrants to a large extent because they never developed any frameworks specifically targeted towards Muslim migrants.

The problems are many but there should be a solution to this problem which could turn very ugly in the near future.

well you are right but i feel 26,000 people can be managed if divided in 4 or 5 countries. Italy is willing to accommodate few, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Germany can take some more. Say 5000 immigrants for each country would mean creating 2000 jobs in each respective country and considering most European countries create 50,000 - 70,000 jobs every month it doesn't look that difficult. Or otherwise seek help from charitable organisation to feed them until they return back home after couple of months.

What worries me is the increase of migration in near future. I mean hopefully its only 26,000 migrants and thats all. Hopefully the figures won't be kept on increasing forever and this batch of 26,000 does not rise up in numbers in the near future.

Best of luck to Italy!

 

[alphamale]

well Scandinavian & Baltic countries can surely accommodate few thousand ppl if not more. central Asian countries are also a option.