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Debate: February 23, 2010

Europe is failing its Muslims
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Intelligence² audience confirms 346 to 249 votes against the motion.
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Event Information:
We hear endlessly in the media that European Muslims are failing to integrate; that they should stop wearing the burqa and building mosques with minarets; that like the rest of us, they must learn to tolerate insults to their religion however painful that may be. But isn't the boot really on the other foot? By constantly criticising their traditions and beliefs and insisting they be more like the rest of us, aren't we breaching our own hallowed principle of live and let live? Far from Muslims failing to be good Europeans, isn't it Europe that is acting illiberally and giving a raw deal to its Muslim citizens?

The debate was filmed for broadcast on BBC World News.
The debate took place at: Cadogan Hall.
Doors opened at 6:00 pm. The debate started at 6:45 pm and finished at 8:30 pm.
Speakers for the motion:

Tariq Ramadan Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University whose work concerns the position of Islam in the modern Western world.

Petra Stienen Dutch former diplomat and author with long experience in the Arab world.
Speakers against the motion:

Douglas Murray Author and Director of the Centre for Social Cohesion.

Flemming Rose Danish journalist, author and the current cultural editor at the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. He was principally responsible for the publishing of the cartoons that initiated the Muhammad cartoons controversy.
Chair:

Zeinab Badawi BBC World News presenter. More information
British Council
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