The Rage That Threatens Western Europe

- by Dr. Patricia Depew

Western Europe is a core recruiting ground for Muslim terrorists. The leaders of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks came out of a cell in Hamburg, Germany. Most of the extremists participating in the more recent bombings in Spain and England were born in those European countries.

Very few of Europe's estimated 12 million Muslims are terrorists or support terrorism. However, a study of Muslim young men revealed that many did approve of terrorism on European soil. Al-Rashed, manager of the Al-Arabiya news in England, indicated how Islamic terrorism has affected his faith and his people. He said, "It is a certain fact that not all Muslims are terrorists, but it is equally certain, and exceptionally painful, that almost all terrorists are Muslims. In a different era . . . most religious messages from our imams were directed to living a moral order and an ethical life. Then came the Neo-Muslims who have turned Islam into a message of hate and a universal war cry. We can't call those who take schoolchildren as hostages our own. We cannot tolerate in our midst those who abduct journalists, murder civilians, explode buses; we cannot accept them as related to us, whatever the sufferings they claim to justify their criminal deeds. These are the people who have smeared Islam and stained its image. We cannot clear our names unless we own up to the shameful fact that terrorism has become an Islamic enterprise; an almost exclusive monopoly implemented by Muslim men and women."

Resentment Fuels the Fire
Most of Muslim immigrants in Europe come from places that were former European colonies. They carry a deep resentment because of this, fueling their hostility towards Europeans. They seek reforms that will enable them to practice their faith, receive benefits, education, and employment and have a voice in the government. Many European Muslims may have to adjust some of their Islamic practices to government restrictions. For example in some places in Europe, women are not allowed to wear veils. However, most Muslim women keep a strong Muslim identity. The majority are against alcohol, abortion, prostitution, homosexuality, and secularism. They identify these as Western European values which are contrary to their Islamic teaching. They are appreciative of Christians who live moral lives and are also against these practices.

The majority (but not all) of Muslim terrorists and their leaders are young. They are frustrated with problems of unemployment, lack of education, poverty, and feelings of oppression, humiliation and worthlessness. However, some terrorists are educated, successfully employed and have money. They also are convinced that the world would be better if it were under an Islamic government, and they are willing to die for that cause.

What Does the Koran Say About War and Terrorism?
Most Muslims say that terrorism is not Islamic. Yet terrorists use teachings in the Koran to justify their actions. There are numerous Koranic verses that support violence. For example, "Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you. Deal firmly with them. Know that [Allah] is with the righteous" (Surah 9:123). "Fight against them until idolatry is no more and [Allah's] religion [Islam] reigns supreme." (2:193). "As for those who are slain in the cause of [Allah], He will not allow their works to perish ... [He] will admit them to the Paradise He has made known to them" (10:4-15). The only way that a Muslim can be "assured" that he will enter Paradise is to kill an "infidel" or if he is killed in a "holy war"(Jihad). They do not understand or accept God's purpose in giving His Son as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin, and the only way to paradise. This is one of the saddest reasons why there are Islamic terrorists.

In fairness, the Koran also contains some passages advocating peaceful relations and coexistence with others. Muslims point to these passages and argue that Islam is a peaceful religion. "Fight for the sake of [Allah] those that fight against you, but do not attack them first. [Allah] does not love aggressors" (2:190). This is sometimes understood to mean that Muslims may not begin hostilities and should not attack noncombatants. Another is, "Whoever killed a human being, except as punishment for murder or other villainy in the land, shall be regarded as having killed all mankind; and that whoever saved a human life shall be regarded as having saved all mankind." (5:32).

How can you explain these fundamentally different views expressed in the Koran? Many scholars have studied the Koran and concluded that the passages encouraging peaceful relations were written early in Mohammad's ministry when he had only a few followers. He hoped to persuade Jews and Christians to become Muslims. At that time, peace was to his advantage. The scholars believe that the Koranic passages exhorting violence and war were written later after he had grown militarily strong and could impose his will on those who would not follow Islam. Muslims argue among themselves about these passages.

The terrorists want to instill fear so moderate Muslims will submit to them and to their militant form of Islam. Even though many do not support terrorism they are afraid to confront other Muslims who accept it. This fear is based on the seriousness that if they wrongfully call another Muslim a "sinner" it is a serious allegation before Allah. The accuser would be punished by Allah.

The Church Weakens in Europe
It is astonishing to see the growth of Islam in Europe coinciding with the decline of Christianity and the Church. This is illustrated in Mannheim, Germany, where the large Yavuz-Sultan-Selim Mosque overshadows Mannheim's largest church, the Lebfrauen. Every Friday, over 3,000 Muslims pack the mosque for prayer and worship. On Sundays you can find hardly more than 150 Catholics attending mass at the church.

Mannheim is not unique. A Christian research group in Great Britain projects that almost 4,000 churches will close over the next 15 years in England. By contrast, it is estimated that there are 10,000 imams in Western Europe; at least one imam for each of the 250 mosques in Sweden, 150 in Denmark, 400 in the Netherlands, probably 1,600 each in England and France, and 2,600 more in Germany. Most of these mosques are small and the governments do not know the exact number of people who attend. They also don't know who preaches in these mosques, or where the imams come from. The imams usually have limited Islamic training, serve part time and some receive financial help from the Saudis.

Though the Muslims in Europe make up less than five percent of the total population, the vitality of both their faith and their large families has led some experts to predict that Islam will soon become the continent's dominant faith. A German political scientist, Claus Leggewie, stated, "By building expensive … mosques, Muslims are sending a message: we are here and we'll stay here."

"Muslims in Europe would be happy for Christians to convert [to Islam], while Christians merely want Muslims to become more secular." Sadly, this was an astute observation made my Olivier Roy, a French scholar of Islam. Who is available to show Muslims that life should be based on the love of God and the teaching of His word? The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20, NIV) is clear. Christians need to make friends of Muslims and demonstrate Christ's holiness before them. This can allow Muslims to understand the teaching of Jesus through the life of a true believer.

Let's Pray!