Canada Attracts Muslim Brains with the Rise of the Far-Right Currents in Europe
A couple of days ago, Dr. Mirona Gheorghiu, a lecturer at the Edinburgh Napier University in the UK published a study entitled “Status, Relative Deprivation, and Moral Devaluation of Immigrants.” The study emphasized that “immigration has been a prominent political issue for decades, but particularly so with rising national populism.”
It added that the moral devaluation (dehumanization and distrust) have become a novel mechanism (over and above prejudice) underlying the formal (anti-immigration policies) and informal (hate crime) means of immigrant exclusion.”
Many similar studies and reports were published recently to address the dramatic increase in hate crimes, violations, and abuses against immigrants, along with the rise of far-right currents in Europe.
On another side, although Canada is not immune from hate incidents as well, the country’s formal and official policies are drafted and promoted in a way that makes Canada an attractive destination for immigrants in general and for Muslim brains in particular.
Rise of Far-Right in Europe
According to the BBC website, “Nationalism has always been a feature across Europe's political spectrum but there has been a recent boom in voter support for right-wing and populist parties.”
Khalid Idrissi an IT engineer and member of the Intellectual Movement in France elucidated to Al-Estiklal that the rise of the extreme right in France and eventually Europe could be analyzed from two perspectives, economic and security ones.
First of all, “from an economic perspective, the far-right was able to formulate a straightforward approach to overcome the economic difficulties facing the European countries. An approach based on closure instead of globalization and openness.”
Idrissi continued: “Let’s consider as an example the leader of the far-right in France Marine Le Pen. Le Pen proposed in the last presidential elections direct measures to deal with the economıc difficulties, including a break up with the European Union, a return to the Franc currency instead of Euro.”
He pointed out, “Le Pen Claimed to protect the French from the high cost of living resulting from the unification of the currency in Europe. Protecting them from the “scary” labor force coming from various poor European countries. Moreover, protecting the French market from Chinese expansion because a very large number of factories closed in France because of Chinese products.”
Idrissi stressed, “Unfortunately, the focus on confronting the real economic threats resonates well in times of crisis. With the economic rise of China, Europe, and the western bloc, in general, is declining. Thus, prosperity and luxurious life are threatened. Indeed the lack of opportunities directly activates the competitor-mindset and the tendency to adhere with initiatives that may calm fears.”
Idrissi explained that “the second perspective is related to the security measures proposed by the far right to enforce the law and protect the citizens from the imminent dangers that threaten their safety. In fact, the media plays a prominent role in nurturing the “Uncertainty and danger” atmosphere approving the far-right claims, by its coverage and focus on violence, crimes, and terrorism, typically committed by Immigrants.”
The European Parliament Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union issued a report about the impact of disinformation campaigns about migrants and minority groups in the EU.
The report states that “looking at recent disinformation campaigns that ethnic, religious and cultural minorities have been subjected to, this study finds both direct and indirect links between mediatic disinformation and fundamental rights, such as human dignity or physical and mental integrity, along with core European values, including equality, the rule of law and solidarity.”
Hate Speech Consequences
A survey conducted by the Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies found that as many as a third, or more accurately 31 percent, of Norwegians, agreed with the statement “Muslims want to take over Europe.”
A report about the “Islamophobic Hate Crime” realized in March 2021, by The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention stressed that “There are several dimensions that need to be considered regarding the consequences of both hate crime and other expressions of Islamophobia.”
The report explains that “for the individual, there are both direct consequences, such as shock, anxiety and fear, and more long-term consequences, such as depression and having to take sick leave, and also a tendency to avoid certain places or to conceal one’s religious affiliation.”
It states, “Islamophobia also involves a risk for serious negative consequences for society as a whole. Exposure to crime and discrimination results in a deterioration of living conditions for Muslims, and, in the long term, the feeling of exclusion may lead to a democratic deficit.”
It continues, “The risk of being subjected to hate crime, or even having one’s views and opinions called into question, may lead to Muslims choosing to avoid political engagement.”
Performance Primes in Canada
Canada has long claimed to be a global defender of human rights, offering equal opportunities to immigrants from all over the world. Standing against discrimination and hate speeches.
Taoufik Houmani lived for years in France, earned French citizenship, and then decided to immigrate and settle in Canada. Houmani disclosed to Al-Estiklal that Canada does not hold an antagonist approach regarding Canadian Muslims.
He explained “To me, I think inclusion has a different meaning from one place to another. While France focuses on ideological purposes to deal with Muslim people, Canada focuses on skills and performance. Society in France is divided: On the top, white people are gathering wealth and higher positions. On the bottom, as a lower rank, Muslim people representing the majority with any consideration.”
He added “Canada attaches importance to abilities and performance instead of ethnic or religious background. Being Muslim or hindouis..etc doesn’t make difference. The most important is how to release achievements for the well-being of Canada.”
He emphasized, “this is one of the most important reasons that make Canada an attractive destination for the Muslim Brains.”
Coexistence and Respect of Religions
Canada became a country on July 1, 1867, when the British Parliament passed the British North America Act. Yet, Canada only got its own flag 100 years after it became a country – on February 15, 1965.
Khalid Idrissi explained that “Canada is relatively a new country that does not really have a “Story” rooted in history produced throughout centuries of the interaction of successive civilizations. Thus, the identity of the country is shaped in light of the identity of its immigrants. The country adopts the principles of diversity, coexistence, and openness that fit with the immigration society and with the 20th-century idioms.”
According to the official statistics the annual immigration in Canada amounts to around 300,000 new immigrants – one of the highest rates per population of any country in the world. As of 2020, there were just above eight million immigrants with permanent residents living in Canada - roughly 21.5 percent of the total Canadian population.
The most striking event that conveys Canada’s policy and tendency to highly regard and respect the Islam religion was Canada’s prime minister’s message to Muslims during Eid al-Fitr on May 12, 2021.
He said: “Today, Muslims in Canada and around the world will celebrate Eid al-Fitr, and mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan – a month of fasting, spiritual reflection, and service to those less fortunate.”
He continued, “let’s find inspiration in Islam’s teachings of equality, compassion, and service. We sneed to also recognize the many contributions that Muslims have made – and continue to make – to Canada.”
