We will not be able to integrate migrants in a cultural sense, László L. Simon, Minister of State of the Prime Minister’s Office said at the Budapest symposium organised by the Heritage Institute for Cultural Policy with respect to the cultural implications of the migration crisis.
He added: we must reckon with the eventuality of the development of parallel societies as a realistic threat which may lead to serious conflicts, including civil wars.
Europe’s linguistic, intellectual and cultural diversity is a genuine value; however, Islam, by denying the very foundations of European civilisation, such as the continent’s specific approach to freedom, democracy or gender equality, excludes the possibility of being a part of this, the Minister of State stressed.
Mr L. Simon takes the view that it is not the only question whether “as honest European democrats and decent human beings who are sensitive to other people’s plight, we are able to take in those who seek shelter”, but it is also a relevant question whether those coming to Europe “are able to exercise the rights of a guest as guests”.
At the workshop organised under the title Cultural implications of the modern-day mass migration, László Marácz, Professor of the Amsterdam University pointed out that international examples demonstrate: multiculturalism is only possible in societies where – for instance, in Toronto in Canada – a great many small linguistic and cultural communities live side by side, none of which is able to rise above the others. By contrast, in Europe we can only have an “indigenous block” and an “immigrant block” which necessarily collide with one another, the academic stated.
Mr Marácz believes that, within decades, a mixed society will come into being in Dutch cities where Muslim communities will be present with a strong sense of community and an advanced infrastructure, while there will be hardly anything left of the old Netherlands. The linguist took the view that a similar future awaits the cities of Belgium, France and Germany, but the countries of Central- and Eastern-Europe, including Hungary, may also be affected.
Academician orientalist Miklós Maróth spoke about the fact that European culture has a lot to be grateful for to scientists of the Middle Ages “who happened to be of the Islamic faith” and who saved the intellectual achievements of the great civilisations of antiquity for posterity, but this is not a merit of Islam itself.
As he said, according to the teachings of Islam, Islam itself is freedom, a law which originates directly from God. Consequently, Islam cannot be reconciled with democracy as, according to the Muslim approach, the latter is merely a law created by man.
The concept of human rights is not known within Islam, in contrast to the concept of human dignity. The latter is, however, linked to the Islamic faith; in other words, they take the view that a Muslim has more dignity than anyone else, Mr Maróth added.
The academic believes that the trouble caused by the migration crisis is aggravated by the fact that Europe does not have a strong cultural identity which immigrants could relate and assimilate to. Mr Maróth said that culture is based on religion, and therefore with the progression of secularisation and the diminishing importance of Christianity, Europe has lost its own culture
László L. Simon, too, shared a similar view. In his opinion, Europe has forgotten the strength inherent in sacrality and religious rite, and this is why Islam – which is rich in these – poses a threat to the continent.
The Minister of State added: mass immigration may have serious political consequences. We cannot rule out that, over time, democratically elected Muslim parties organised on a religious basis may assume control of Europe which may erase the last remnants of European culture.
(Prime Minister's Office, MTI)
