Debate is Europe's best hope against extremism

"On Monday night, religious violence peaked as an imam was killed in an arson attack on the Rida mosque, the largest Shia mosque of Brussels. The attacker, who described himself as a Muslim, committed the crime to intimidate the local Shia community, linking the events to religious tensions in Syria, Belgian media reported."

"Belgium's extremists are not alone. Elsewhere in Europe, the fumes of burning cars and simmering conflict continue to intoxicate the continent's failing integration policies. Lawmakers try to relegate religion to the private sphere, marking clear boundaries between Islam and the west."

"There is, however, a way out of this standoff between secular, Islamist and sectarian forces. Despite indignant outcries at Dewinter's boldness, Belkacem's jihad and the Rida mosque tragedy, the events offer an opportunity to elevate the discussion to a higher level. Religious controversy fuels awareness, introspection and public debate – a central tenet of all modern, liberal societies."

"Public debate isn't just a footnote in democratic theory, it is a powerful tool. If we want to fight extremism, of any kind, we need to be able to fight it on its own terms. We need to familiarise ourselves again with religion, instead of taking refuge within the safe confines of secular ideals. The void has become filled with radical voices, unchallenged on the territory secularists chose to abandon."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...xtremism-islam