Some people said already long time ago that Muslims have now the same role Jewish people had during 1930s. That seems to become more and more obvious. Many kinds of right-wing groups and parties seem to use Muslims as a way to foster divisive politics and to strengthen their own power.
I have already written about the rising Islamophobia in Britain. Anti-Muslim hate crimes increased across Britain by 593% in the week after the Christchurch terrorist attacks (1). The British Conservative Party seems quite complacent regarding Islamophobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric within the party (2). British far-right UKIP party hired notorious Islamophobe Tommy Robinson as a special adviser (3). British far-right figure Katie Hopkins has started touring in Europe and USA with prominent counter-jihadist Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff (4, 5).
The developments in Britain are similar to the situation in mainland Europe, North America and Australia. Anti-Muslim rhetoric and sentiment has become commonplace within right-wing political circles and mainstream media. Therefore it is no wonder that Muslim leaders around the world have criticized mainstream media, politicians and academics for cultivating systemic and institutionalized Islamophobia (6). During his recent visit to Cairo, the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres expressed his concern regarding the growing anti-Muslim sentiment and the increase of hate crimes all over the world (7).
During this spring there will be several important elections in Europe and elsewhere. European far-right populist and nationalist parties are expected to gain more votes because of their anti-immigrant and Islamophobic rhetoric (8). However, the first elections to watch for will take place today in Israel where Prime Minister Netanyahu is trying to win the elections with his far-right allies (9).
References:
1) “Anti-Muslim hate crimes soar in UK after Christchurch shootings” The Guardian 22.3.2019
2) “The Guardian view on Tory Islamophobia: inaction speaks volumes” The Guardian 28.3.2019
3) “Brexit party leader hires prominent anti-Muslim extremist as adviser” The National 23.11.2018
4) “Finland: Katie Hopkins and Elizabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff at the Finnish House of Parliament during live sessions” Tundra Tabloids January 2019
5) Katie Hopkins on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KTHopkins/status/1105498588627521536
6) “‘Systemic Islamophobia’ fuels terror attacks, say Muslim leaders” The Guardian 18.3.2019
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/18/uk-muslim-leaders-seek-funding-for-mosque-security
7) “UN head warns against growing anti-Muslim sentiment during Cairo visit” Middle East Eye 2.4.2019
8) “Populists are whipping up a storm as Europe faces lurch to the right” The Guardian 6.4.2019
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/06/brexit-distraction-far-right-nationalists-eu-elections
9) “Israelis prepare to go to the polls: here’s what we know” The Guardian 8.4.2019
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/08/israelis-prepare-to-go-to-the-polls-heres-what-we-know
IDIS Observer 