Why Left-‘Liberals' Are Downplaying Violence In Spain

News18

2 days ago

At the heart of the problem is unwanted and often illegal immigration of Muslims into not just Spain but the entire Europe
The main purpose of language is communication, but Left-'liberals' often deploy it to conceal the reality, spread disinformation, and further their agenda. Top items on their agenda are downplaying the unpleasant features of radical Islam and veiling the violence by Muslims, the recent case being violence in Spain, which apparently Muslims perpetrated.
A news agency reported, 'Violent clashes erupted between far-right groups, local residents and North African migrants in a town in southeastern Spain late on Saturday following an attack on an elderly man by unknown assailants earlier in the week."
Notice the mention of 'far-Right groups, local residents and North African migrants." It may look like some neo-Nazi outfits—with whom far-Right is considered synonymous—along with a few parochial churls began the ruckus. Nowhere in the 318-word report are the words 'Muslims" and 'Islam" mentioned.
The recent violence was triggered in Torre-Pacheco when the Muslim migrants thrashed an elderly man in the street.
At the heart of the problem is unwanted and often illegal immigration of Muslims into not just Spain but the entire Europe. Along with them come Islamist and jihadist ideas, resulting in violence, the worst being the 2004 Madrid train bombings, the deadliest Muslim attack on European soil. In August 2017, a Muslim drove a van into crowds on Barcelona's busy Las Ramblas, mowing down 13 people; the attack was claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group. Hours later, there was a second attack in the southern coastal town of Cambrils, killing a woman.
Over the past several decades, Europe has transformed into a truly multicultural continent. People from across the globe—belonging to diverse ethnicities, religions, and nationalities—have made Europe their home. Among them are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians from non-European countries, and others who, for the most part, integrate peacefully into European societies. They contribute to the economy, respect local laws, and generally coexist without major friction with native populations. Incidents involving these groups clashing with local populations over religious or cultural issues are exceedingly rare.
However, in stark contrast, the experience with overwhelming majorities of Muslim immigrant populations in Europe has been different, and increasingly fraught with tension. From France to Germany, Britain to Sweden, and Italy to Spain, conflicts involving some Muslim communities have frequently made headlines. These tensions range from social friction and cultural disputes to, in some extreme cases, violent acts carried out in the name of religion.
This raises an uncomfortable but important question: why is it that similar issues are not commonly observed with other non-European religious communities?
A key part of the answer lies in the refusal of Islam, as a faith and civilizational system, has faced in reconciling to come to terms with the foundational principles of modernity. Unlike the trajectory followed by other major religions, Islam has seen far less theological or philosophical engagement with Enlightenment-era values such as individual liberty, freedom of expression, secular governance, and tolerance for dissent. These values underpin much of European political and social life, and failure to embrace them can create deep cultural dissonance.
For many Muslims, identity is closely intertwined with religion, often in ways that do not allow for personal interpretation or deviation from traditional norms. This has led to difficulties when adjusting to secular societies where religion is expected to be a private affair and where critical engagement with religious ideas—including satire or irreverence—is legally protected and culturally embedded.
In extreme instances, this clash has culminated in acts of violence or intimidation—such as attacks over depictions of the Prophet Muhammad or over perceived blasphemy—which are utterly unacceptable in liberal democracies. In contrast, other communities may find certain cultural elements uncomfortable or offensive but seldom respond with threats or violence.
However, the reluctance to address this issue honestly is not limited to segments within the Muslim community alone. Many intellectuals and commentators—particularly on the Left—prefer to avoid uncomfortable truths in the name of cultural sensitivity or fear of being labeled Islamophobic. While compassion and anti-discrimination efforts are noble, a blanket refusal to discuss the ideological roots of recurring social tensions does more harm than good. It enables denial, avoids reform, and alienates moderate Muslims who wish to harmonize their faith with modern values.
It is crucial to understand that this is not an indictment of all Muslims, most of whom live peacefully; it is a call for honest dialogue about the ideological challenges facing Islam in the modern world, and the need for reform within religious thought to embrace pluralism, freedom, and reason.
Only when these issues are acknowledged by both Muslim leaders and their liberal allies can meaningful integration and social harmony be achieved across Europe.
To begin with, Muslim elites and Left-'liberals' must stop the abuse of language by taking recourse to phony concepts like 'Islamophobia.' Phony, because the fear of Islam is real, as the victims of the Madrid and London bombings know.
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