CYPRUS MP STRESSES TO CHECK ISLAMOPHOBIA

Andros Kyprianou, head of the Cyprus delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, has called on European governments to address growing Islamophobia faced by Muslim communities in Europe. Addressing the Assembly, Kyprianou noted a marked increase in this “dangerous phenomenon” recently and stressed the need to investigate the reasons that lead to such “unacceptable behaviour.” Kyprianou pointed out that it is of crucial importance for European governments to ensure that immigrants participate in the life of the country they are residing to be part of society and not feel marginalised. He said that the religion of Islam has nothing to do with Muslim terrorists. He stressed, “The member states of the Council of Europe have to act rapidly and effectively in order to combat all forms of discrimination and especially the dangerous phenomenon of Islamophobia”.