Muslim protest provokes violent sectarian backlash in Greece

[drchoice22]

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/25/muslim-anger-ignites-violent-new-response/

PLEASE your thoughts and comments!!!!!!! thank you!!!!!



"Far-right-wing vigilantes burned a makeshift mosque in Athens over the weekend after Muslim immigrants in Athens attacked police with rocks and bottles over an incident in which a policeman reportedly defaced a Koran.

Although Greece has a history of political violence from radical leftists and anarchists, sectarian bloodletting represents an entirely modern phenomenon. "

....
"When the crowd dwindled to about 300, remaining protesters began throwing rocks and bottles at police and smashing windows at a luxury hotel in central Syntagma Square, according to an account by the Associated Press.

Far-right-wing vigilantes replied over the weekend by setting fire to a Muslim prayer hall. Taken together, the incidents represent some of the worst sectarian violence witnessed in modern Greece."
..

"Said Ejazulhaq Syed, a representative of the Pakistani community in Athens who has lived in Greece for 35 years. "But the violence had nothing to do with religion but with the bad economic situation and having too many foreigners in Greece."



Europe is a different cat then America what can be done to quell sectarian violence in Greece, A place known for violent demonstrations from all sides?

Keep in mind the worsening economy, and the recent riots when local far left wing and far right wing groups (of the same native ethnicity) rioted together mainly against the police and against the state for the worsening economic situation.

PLEASE COMMENT ON MY POST!

[drchoice22]

1. why doesn't anyone ever comment on my posts?

I mean crap I post interesting human event stories nobody else has heard of.

I thought at least one person would reply!!!

I'm going to go walk off to my room and cry myself to sleep now.

thanks.

[BuyingThyme]

3. Don't worry about it.

Everybody's tied up with the Supreme Court, Prop 8 and all.

[BuyingThyme]

2. Welcome to DU, DrChoice22!

You have a nice post.

:hi:

[drchoice22]

4. Thank you!! Whats to be tied up about the SC? She will pass

With little effort I imagine!

Don't you concur? Actually please stay on topic and don't answer that LOL

[BuyingThyme]

5. I just don't know anything about sectarian violence in Greece.

But I think the SC nominee will be approved by the Senate.

[get the red out]

6. I don't know what can be done

To be honest, I wish we had some balls like that over here sometimes! I can't imagine fat lazy Americans taking to the streets for massive demonstrations leading to anarchy over the economy or anything, the NBA playoffs are on, and we need to try to see who killed the latest blond corpse.

I don't agree with the violence, but I kind of envy people who will actually, physically protest as a large enough force to get serious notice!

[drchoice22]

8. I know what you mean, In America it seems like

All people care about is the latest sports game sometimes.

Its okay that you don't know anything about it, but what are your thoughts?

I think America is a different situation because it is historically multi-ethnic and due to states rights, and sectarianism it somewhat works out.

In Greece and other european (and for that matter every other nation in the 'OLD' world) this is not the case therefore cries against immigration (both legal and illegal) have more weight I suppose.

With the worsening economic situation its not like immigrants can pack up and move home on their own.

Perhaps if they wanted to move the government could help pay to relocate them?

I guess the longer term goal is to fix the economy first then ethnic tensions would subside?

[get the red out]

17. If there were no substantial tensions before I am sure it would help

People get in fear when there is scarcity, when times get hard. They look for someone to blame or at least send running so they can get what they see as their share. I can't say that it isn't human nature, people doing everything they can think of to take care of their families, even if it comes out wrong. I think if our world functioned better economically it would certainly help people settle other differences easier. A full belly goes a long way toward tolerance.

[cali]

7. crap article from the moonie times

we don't endorse right wing povs here.

[drchoice22]

12. Well, if you don't support right wing POV's then don't post one.

Simple as that?

I don't understand what you're saying, I don't support right wing POV's either so thats why I don't post Right wing POV's.


Are you saying talking about aN issue in a foreign country is endorsing a right wing POV? I'm confused.

[BuyingThyme]

14. People around here just don't go for the Washington Times

because it's owned by the Moonies. (They'z crazy, right-wing nutbags.)

[drchoice22]

15. Ohh.. I don't really know who the moonies are

My bad.

[BuyingThyme]

16. Not a big deal.

[Posteritatis]

9. But - but - there are no minorities in Greece! Greece says so! (nt)

[TheFarseer]

10. Greeks and Muslims go way back

much further back than Americans and muslims. Of course other countries in Europe are having problems with muslims and violence. This is certainly going to get worse before it gets better. It will be interesting to see what happens with muslims in Europe.

[Hatalles]

11. Not too far back. 1/3 African slaves brought to the Americas were Muslim.

nt

[drchoice22]

13. I think he's saying that greeks/muslims go back further than even the founding of America

n/t

[Posteritatis]

18. The US is an infant alongside the history of that region (nt)

[TheFarseer]

19. greeks and muslims go back to the 7th century

with the muslim's 1st attempt to take Constantinople.

[Alamuti Lotus]

20. but nothing to do with Greek attempts to rule over Egypt and Syria?

[TheFarseer]

21. most people around the Mediterranean at that time

were the same Roman culture after centuries of Roman rule. However, I think it would be nearly as crazy to get fired up about the migration of Muslims towards Europe as to get fired up about the Vandals or the Visigoths. Those were vastly different times and I'm not sure Greeks identify with Byzantine times anymore. It would be interesting to know for sure. They probably identify with the struggle for independence against the Ottoman Empire in the 1800's and early 1900's

[Joe the Liberal]

22. Sheesh all that over a book? n/t