ABSTRACT
European countries have to reevaluate the flourishing trade and often completely uncritical dealings with authoritarian states that finance and arm Islamic militants. Europe should also not simply look away when groups of Sinti and Roma are being discriminated against or when close allies make use of systematic torture, as in the cases of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo. Islam has from the very beginning been an integral part of Europe. The wealth and impact of Muslim culture on Europe can be seen in many areas, such as those of theology, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, architecture, literature and music. One must take into account that the majority of European Muslims are not at all organized into any religious movement. The neutrality of religion is very much to their advantage. It is, however, necessary for Muslims in Muslim majority countries also to advocate the religious neutrality of the state and the freedom of religion in general.
