Coordinator on combating anti-Muslim hatred Marion Lalisse. Photo: Screengrab/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Setting up a mandate to combat anti-Muslim hatred is not only a symbolic gesture, but rather a “genuine commitment” for the European Commission, the commission’s coordinator on combating anti-Muslim hatred told Rudaw.
The EU Commission appointed Marion Lalisse as its coordinator on combating anti-Muslim hatred in February 2023. The mandate focuses on ensuring response to hatred and discrimination committed against Muslims in Europe, as well as collecting data on such instances.
“We are here to protect the rights of our fellow citizens of a Muslim faith… It’s not only a symbol. It’s really a true commitment,” Lalisse told Rudaw’s Znar Shino earlier this month.
“When I say anti-Muslim hatred: it’s not only about Muslims, it’s also about people perceived to be Muslims who may actually be of different faith. They may be Christian, they may be Yazidi, they may be Bahai, they may be atheist. What matters is that they face discrimination on what people think is the Muslim affiliation,” she added.
The coordinator stated that her role focuses on supporting EU member states in collecting data on anti-Muslim hatred which is often “underrecorded, underreported,” adding that she also works on building trust between Muslims in Europe and state institutions, especially law enforcement actors.
Muslims make up the largest religious minority in Europe, according to the coordinator. Citing data from 2016, Lalisse said that 4.9 percent of Europe’s population, about 20 to 26 million people, is Muslim, adding that the number is “expected to grow.”
The EU Commission appointed Marion Lalisse as its coordinator on combating anti-Muslim hatred in February 2023. The mandate focuses on ensuring response to hatred and discrimination committed against Muslims in Europe, as well as collecting data on such instances.
“We are here to protect the rights of our fellow citizens of a Muslim faith… It’s not only a symbol. It’s really a true commitment,” Lalisse told Rudaw’s Znar Shino earlier this month.
“When I say anti-Muslim hatred: it’s not only about Muslims, it’s also about people perceived to be Muslims who may actually be of different faith. They may be Christian, they may be Yazidi, they may be Bahai, they may be atheist. What matters is that they face discrimination on what people think is the Muslim affiliation,” she added.
The coordinator stated that her role focuses on supporting EU member states in collecting data on anti-Muslim hatred which is often “underrecorded, underreported,” adding that she also works on building trust between Muslims in Europe and state institutions, especially law enforcement actors.
Muslims make up the largest religious minority in Europe, according to the coordinator. Citing data from 2016, Lalisse said that 4.9 percent of Europe’s population, about 20 to 26 million people, is Muslim, adding that the number is “expected to grow.”
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