Polish Muslims denounce terror

Muslim Tartars have lived in Poland for more than 400 years and for the most part have not been bothered by prejudicial behavior against them. A small number of other Muslims have established themselves in Poland over the past 60 years. It is estimated about 40,000 live in Poland mostly in the north-east. 

They unlike the Muslim emigrants pouring into Europe the past few years have assimilated into the Polish social structure. Apart from religious freedom, the Tartars were allowed to marry Polish and Ruthenian women of Catholic or Orthodox faith, which is extremely unique. Tartars were also granted representation in Parliament and when entering the military service took their oath from Imams.

Recently a large number of Muslims in Poznań came together to hold a protest march held under the slogan “Muslims against Terrorism and Racism”.

See: About Polish Muslims

Poles and Tartars together protest terror Photo: PAP

  

“We condemn all forms of terrorism and stand in solidarity with the French nation and all those who fell victim to terrorist attacks around the world,” local imam Youssef Chadid told the peace protesters. Perhaps one day we will see the same in America.

The movement was organized to quell fears of Islamic extremism and violence against the indigenous population.  There had been a rise in racially-motivated crimes in Poznań with  a Syrian national hospitalized after he was beaten in the city center.