الإسلام والغرب: نحو عالم أفضل

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Globalization and the Contribution of the European Muslims

“clash of civilisations” between christianity and Islam. While 56 percent were of this opinion, 25 percent were of the opposite view. In 2004 the ratio was still 46 to 34 percent. At the present moment in Europe an attempt is continually being made to represent Islam as foreign or as the religion of the immigrants. 3. Why the EU integration of Bosnia is an important theme It is extraordinary that the theme of the EU integration of Turkey is being discussed by all of us but not that of the integration of the Balkans. We should be interested in this debate. Such a debate would make Europe aware that Islam and the Muslims are part of European history and identity. The Muslims of this region contribute quite naturally to European culture and the fact that the country belongs geographically to Europe is beyond doubt. We may unequivocally state here that Islam belongs to Europe. Europe is rightly criticised for having no political strategy for ensuring the end of the isolation of Southeast Europe. Instead of taking the Balkans along with us down the road to globalisation the threat of a further balkanisation of this key region exists. The purchase of some key industries, banks and media organisations by west European concerns is still not a lasting political option. A credible strategy is still lacking even today. The Rome Declaration of the International Commission on the Balkans, chaired by former Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato, states:

The Salzburg meeting conveyed the message that the EU is neither ready nor willing to offer credible membership perspectives. We can only regret this unfortunate development. It is in the Balkans that the EU must show that it has the power to transform weak states and divided societies. Unless the EU adopts a bold accession strategy which integrates all Balkan countries into the Union within the next decade, it will remain mired as a reluctant colonial power at enormous cost in places like Kosovo, Bosnia and even Macedonia. The real referendum on the EU's future will take place in the Balkans.

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