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PRAGUE: Czech President Milos Zeman, known for his fiery anti-migrant comments, said on Sunday that it was almost impossible to integrate the Muslim community into European society. “The experience of Western European countries which have ghettos and excluded localities shows that the integration of the Muslim community is practically impossible,” Zeman said in a televised interview.
“Let them have their culture in their countries and not take it to Europe, otherwise it will end up like Cologne,” he added, referring to the mass New Year’s Eve assaults on women in Germany and elsewhere.
“Integration is possible with cultures that are similar, and the similarities may vary,” pointing out that the Vietnamese and Ukrainian communities had been able to integrate into Czech society. Zeman, a 71-year-old leftwinger and the first-ever directly elected president of the Czech Republic, has repeatedly spoken out against the surge of migrant and refugee arrivals in Europe.
Earlier this month, Zeman claimed the influx was masterminded by Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood which uses money from several states to finance it in a bid to “gradually control Europe”.
Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2016
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Comments (81) Closed
Jan 18, 2016 02:43pm
In a way he is not wrong.
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Jan 18, 2016 02:45pm
He has a right to criticize anything. Unfortunately Muslims are at fault. Why? Because we have failed to take the power in our countries from the western backed dictators and allowed terrorist to kill us. Western people have failed to control their leaders who order their armies to destroy Muslim or any country that stands up to them.
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Jan 18, 2016 02:50pm
He is Correct.
Immigrants / refugees cant have it both ways. If they choose to live by their own culture (Religious philosophies etc.) they have to stay back or go to a country which practices the same lifestyle.
If they choose to go to a place of completely different lifestyle and culture, please forego your old ways and start to live by their rules (Be a Roman when you are in Rome).
Expecting Middle Eastern culture to integrate with European is like expecting Oil to mix with water. It wont happen!!!
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Jan 18, 2016 02:54pm
Unfortunate but true.
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Jan 18, 2016 03:00pm
Sadly he is absolutely right. If you don't want to integrate with western culture then why move to their countries. Migrate to countries that have a similar culture to yours.
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Jan 18, 2016 03:14pm
Definitely true
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Jan 18, 2016 03:35pm
Says a person who does not even have experience of large scale multi-culturalism! He probably does not even distinguish between assimilation and integration. In any case, the sudden influx of a million refugees even if they were Europeans, would come at a huge social cost. This was bound to happen. However, how they are integrated into the host country depends on how they are groomed and guided during the initial three years of their stay in the host country. I say good luck to them all.
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Jan 18, 2016 03:36pm
I'm a Muslim and I partially agree with him. A Muslim like me have no problems in integrating in a western society. In fact we're almost living same way in major cities . I mean the middle class and upper class. But he's true for the ppl who think they are superior over others!
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Jan 18, 2016 03:37pm
They will not bring their culture to Europe if Europe stopped sending its armies to their countries. Remind me again, who attacked Afghanistan, Iraq & Libya? And who is supporting the rebels in Syria? You can't play with fire and don't expect it to burn you. Middle East problem is a direct result of interference of US and its buddies in Europe. Now they should reap what they sow.
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Jan 18, 2016 03:40pm
@Neutral integration is not the same assimilation. The Czech president is telling the Muslims to assimilate disguised as integration.
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Jan 18, 2016 03:41pm
If you migrate to Europe, the reasons cannot be financial. You have to have social reasons also. If you want to live like a Syrian, why migrate to Europe? You want to migrate because Syria is in a bad shape. But if you do migrate, don't bring Syria to Europe.
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Jan 18, 2016 03:42pm
Just do not agree with him. First of all he should himself be clear what is integration only then should issue statements. I live in a Western European country and fully integrated. My children also fully integrated. The only difference is the border lines where follower of a particular religion and culture has to stop and the country where he or she lives has to accept it. USA, Canada, UK and Germany are the best examples where millions from different continents, religions and ethnicity successfully integrated. Czech is a tiny country with no importance on global map.
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Jan 18, 2016 04:02pm
@timetostopthis Only if a countries of similar culture allows migration or even bonding, inter-racial marriages or businesses or equal rights.
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Jan 18, 2016 04:20pm
He's not wrong tho
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Jan 18, 2016 04:20pm
Sad events in Cologne actually prove what he is saying as correct. Its is a shame for us.
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Jan 18, 2016 04:36pm
Resentment against Muslims is on the rise all over the West. The inward-looking mindset of Muslims (at least a vast majority of them) is to blame.
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Jan 18, 2016 04:36pm
If the western civilization stop bombing the Muslim lands, destroying muslim states one after another in one pretext or another, they won't have this issue of immigrants. No one wants to leave home just for the sake of it.
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Jan 18, 2016 04:45pm
West should stop discriminating against Muslims & attacking Muslim countries to minimize the influx of Muslims. The latter should respect law of the land wherever they are.
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Jan 18, 2016 04:48pm
@Neutral
How true literally speaking Nature gave oil to middle east but denied water.similarly the culture cannot integrate with others be it west or other nations.Samuel Huntington politely described it as clash of civilisations . Now the cultural fault lines and opening and deepening!
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Jan 18, 2016 04:52pm
The white man needs to stop the racism and start treating the rest of the world as humans....
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Jan 18, 2016 04:52pm
Lets hope that western leader like him will voice about how western countries have poked their noses due to their interests in middle east. Created and destroyed the governments. Iraq war has led us to this day. Where do you expect those battered country people to go? Eastern borders are no option, too much unrest. West has to take responsibility of what they have done in the countries. They (Iraqis or Syrians) were not coming to West before the wars created by west in their country. Why we do not hear oil wells or pipe lines getting any problem these days? because they are the only thing protected by western forces, human lives has no value.
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Jan 18, 2016 04:54pm
Muslims were living peacefully in Europe until the west starting bombing muslim lands and funding terrorist organisations
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Jan 18, 2016 04:54pm
@Gaurav Arya
Yes but dont bomb Syria or Iraq in the first place. Bush war on Iraq has created all this lawlessness and evil of ISIS.
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Jan 18, 2016 05:03pm
Just say that we don't want migrants instead of maligning a community.
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Jan 18, 2016 05:09pm
Then keep the western forces in your respective countries and stop disrupting the lives of Muslims by waging war in the name of democracy in order to usurp their resources. How about that? You cannot have your way absolutely.
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Jan 18, 2016 05:15pm
this is their own fire, now why are they crying?? muslims migration is not issue, issue is that, what is principle cause behind migration?? why they aren't stop proxy wars in that countries. if someone from migrants do wrong it doesn't mean they are all wrong. lives of the Syrian peoples and lives of the paris's people are equal. plz stop such proxy wars in that countries....
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Jan 18, 2016 05:20pm
He is right but his selection of words is wrong.
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Jan 18, 2016 05:21pm
100% correct.
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Jan 18, 2016 05:26pm
He is absulutly right I think islam is the most senstive religion in the world and very complicated guideline how to live and what to do or doesnt in day today life . Better that muslim should be migrate only to ISLAMIC countries as these nation suited more för their life style
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Jan 18, 2016 05:32pm
@Zidane You blame Czech republic for something which is done by other countries.. Great.
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Jan 18, 2016 05:34pm
Its not intentional, migration is because of a situation and may be a short term solution.. these people are happy in their countries and cultures...if peace could be prevail...
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Jan 18, 2016 05:36pm
@rehan I do not agree with you. I am sure given a chance over 60% of Asia and over 80% of Africa would want to migrate to USA and Europe.
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Jan 18, 2016 05:46pm
It's true. We don't integrate in any western country.
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Jan 18, 2016 05:46pm
Muslims ‘impossible to integrate’ in Europe, says Czech leader .or it may be the Christian cannot integrate with Muslim in Europe... that is why Bosnia will never be an independent Muslim country in Europe.
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Jan 18, 2016 05:53pm
He is partly correct. For muslim immigrants who are educated, skilled and coming from a reasonably peaceful background have been able to integrate more effectively. For immigrants who lack these are finding it a lot more difficult. It's actually less an islam issue then it is a cultural one. It just happens to be that the current wave of mass immigration to Europe is happening from war torn muslim countries.
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Jan 18, 2016 06:07pm
the refugees behaved in shameful manner in Germany.Naturally they are now hated.
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Jan 18, 2016 06:14pm
Fully agree. When you are in Rome, be as a Roman. Integrate. Is it so difficult?
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Jan 18, 2016 06:20pm
Then do not send your armies there, do not topple their governments, do not support rebels and do not interfere in middle east.
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Jan 18, 2016 06:23pm
we'll said mr president
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Jan 18, 2016 06:27pm
Why is the west using the word migrant and not refugees? This shows that they do not want to discuss the problems they have created in Muslim countries. Due to their interference, conditions are bad and people leaving their countries to save their lives
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Jan 18, 2016 06:31pm
My bro and sis,is west only responsible for worst situtation.are arab and iran given equal right to their minorties.
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Jan 18, 2016 06:34pm
@khan very good analysis, good to see someone with sense writing here for a change
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Jan 18, 2016 06:36pm
Some of these migrants and refugees, do bring skills with them.
I personally know of a Palestinian refugee who is now the consultant head of medicine at a local UK hospital and an Iraqi who was tortured by the Saddam's regime, working as a neurosurgeon at the same hospital. They were highly educated in their respective countries.
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Jan 18, 2016 06:51pm
I am sick and tired of some in these Western countries shouting "Muslim Integration" every chance they get. Were those harassing women in Cologne right? NO. Punish them to the max. Are all Muslims like this? NO. So please give it a rest.
They will have to define integration first to make an accusation. Does it mean learning the language and participating in the society and govt and be good citizens then yes, vast majority of Muslims have integrated into the host countries. Muslims living in the West are as much "integrated" as the non-Muslims living in the Muslim countries. Actually Muslims are more integrated since they have to speak the host country's language however; vast majority of expats living in Gulf countries do not speak any Arabic or make an effort to learn it.
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Jan 18, 2016 06:57pm
He is correct
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Jan 18, 2016 06:59pm
Why not?? Aren't the living in the entire world for ages????
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Jan 18, 2016 07:01pm
I agree with him.
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Jan 18, 2016 07:17pm
@Catalyst
Western world were supporting dictators in many muslim countries during cold war era. Once cold war era was over they started supporting the so call rebles who were fighting against dictatorial regimes ..for businesses interest and in name of human rights. Lately they do not support terroists organzations as determined by UN or western countries.
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Jan 18, 2016 07:36pm
Europe should have given a thought to this before bombing countries like Lybia and Iraq and interfering in Syria.
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Jan 18, 2016 07:51pm
Europe has over 53 million Muslims, most of them local white people. My family have been living in Europe for 3 generations and love the our adopted country. For me: language, education and job are the 3 most important factors in intergration. Sharing europen democratic values is important - but so is our personal choice of religion.
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Jan 18, 2016 08:04pm
@Akil Akhtar
Agree.
But Arabs need to treat as human beings too. Look at how they treat south asian labour in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
One other thing, why don't the refugees go to arab countries?
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Jan 18, 2016 08:06pm
those who dont mix are radicals, fanatics... they are few in crores... those refugees are ppl, woman, men, kids... if not helped immediately they will suffer hugely... for sake of few crooks cant punish millions.
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Jan 18, 2016 08:08pm
True. Muslim countries should take this refugies
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Jan 18, 2016 08:22pm
He is 100% correct.
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Jan 18, 2016 08:23pm
Thats true
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Jan 18, 2016 09:40pm
Hello,
Ottoman Turks at the heart of Europe and Muslims can adjust anywhere in the world but our morals will not change. Look at the Western society and it is a failure because you have forgotten Christian moral values.
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Jan 18, 2016 09:50pm
Do as Romans do while in Rome
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Jan 18, 2016 09:57pm
Integration is a two way street. Both sides have to move closer to each other and find the proverbial middle ground.
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Jan 18, 2016 10:00pm
Muslims been in Britain for decades, never been a problem. Went to school with many.... lovely people, (great food!)Even in these crazy times, extremism is a fairly minority pursuit. Things could be better, but what society is petfect? Not about to became a racist, just because of a few bad apples and undoubtedly British foreign policy has had many negative implications, that have contributed to the current situation. We have to keep our facsistic, racist tendencies in check, as who wants to become that type of person!
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Jan 18, 2016 10:08pm
I differ, wrong doing of few. Few misguided can be result of whole of Muslims . We have to respect others to gain Respect from others. None is bigger or Smaller in world.
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Jan 18, 2016 10:12pm
I don't understand why someone has to merge & integrate in a different way of life. All community should live their lives according to their culture, all they need to do is stay peacefully & honestly contribute to the development of the host country. A smell of apartheid.
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Jan 18, 2016 10:35pm
He has a valid point. Muslims at large wherever they live, are not able to integrate with non-muslims and not just in Western countries. It has to do with them carrying religion on their sleeves and their attitude to see everything thro' Islamic prism. This attitude and mindset does not allow them to accept other cultures which are non-Islamic.
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Jan 18, 2016 10:57pm
The foremost teaching of our religion is not to follow your lust. These migrant already in turmoil, scattered with their original identity almost lost are given refuge open handedly by a non Muslim country and then they follow to an act of their lust tarnishing, destroying, burying the already lost image of the Muslims. We are in a time of shame and we need to revisit and renew our faith in our religion.
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Jan 18, 2016 11:12pm
I don't know why they don't migrate to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait. They are rich and wealthy nations too.
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Jan 18, 2016 11:27pm
Czeck President don't know how much west Europe is allergic of East European. They are worried due to influx of poor East European to West Europe. Even within west Europe there is so much hate. Swiss and Germans hate English. Hitler used to consider Germans the most superior race on this planet. No other culture have seen so much blood and so much Killings what Europeons caused on their own soil. Millions were made to melt in gas chambers in first half of 20th century. Czeck Republic is not an attractive place to migrate.
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Jan 18, 2016 11:40pm
I'm an immigrant (and a muslim) and I honestly think I have integrated very well in western society.
The point is, don't paint all with the same brush. Else you just sound like a racist.
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Jan 19, 2016 12:13am
@Hanif - It increasingly appears that the Muslim world lost sight of humanity!
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Jan 19, 2016 02:20am
@Neutral if you are not breaking the law and are law abiding citizen then there should be no problems. If you are a Hindu and a vegetarian travelling to Europe or middle east do you have to be non vegetarian to prove that you are an integrating in the society. Get a life
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Jan 19, 2016 02:49am
this man is a nobody from an irrelevant country just trying to grab a bit of publicity for himself.
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Jan 19, 2016 03:14am
Unfortunately, he is right. I have seen many Muslims living in Europe and following Taliban lifestyle....
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Jan 19, 2016 05:13am
There would have been no such situation had the Europe 'Let them have their culture in their countries'
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Jan 19, 2016 05:55am
"Wherever there is injustice the first form of politeness is Attack."
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Jan 19, 2016 05:59am
Islam is a perfect and peaceful religion that provides a perfect way of life and most Muslims around the world follow it. If your expectation is that all Muslims living in Europe must live according to your way of life (i.e. sex, drugs and rock & role) then it is not going to happen.
As long as the Muslims living in Europe are abiding by the law of the land then there is and should not be a problem at all, but expecting them to be like YOU is just not possible.
Just like all westerners living in Dubai cannot and will not speak Arabic or wear the native Arabic long dresses similarly YOU cannot and MUST NOT expect everyone and Muslims in particular to follow in your footsteps!
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Jan 19, 2016 06:07am
Anyone who keeps his religion above humanity and country will face this problem. If you feel you religion is supreme why migrate.
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Jan 19, 2016 06:56am
@Azaan I will have to disagree. You cannot go as a Refugee or an Immigrant to another country and say I will only live by my own ways. What next you will ask for Halal food centers to be opened everywhere in Czech. His country, his rules (like China).
Either live by the place or leave the place.
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Jan 19, 2016 07:03am
It's true the only way out is for the world to support strongmen like Asad so people would have a stable government and won't leave in mass migration
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Jan 19, 2016 11:10am
@sam ;It's the MONEY and living standards!
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Jan 19, 2016 02:29pm
@Worth_Commenting "how they are integrated into the host country depends on how they are groomed and guided during the initial three years of their stay in the host country" being myself a Muslim I strongly second his comments we Muslims cannot integrate in European countries because we have totally different chemistry which make us Muslims and above all our scholars never approved the idea of migrating towards a non-Muslim country last but not least we should endeavor to change our societies rather migrating towards Europe and or US
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Jan 20, 2016 06:41am
Another muslim basher?
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Jan 20, 2016 08:48am
Similar things were said about Indian immigrants in East Africa. A convenient excuse for Idi Amin to throw them out of Uganda.
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Jan 20, 2016 05:51pm
@khanm There is Albania which is predominantly muslim country, is in Europe and independent.
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