'I am Muslim, not a terrorist!': Muslim community rallies against recent attack in Barcelona
Muslims in Spain rally after the attack condemning terrorism. Photo: Reuters
(Web Desk) – The aftermath of Barcelona’s recent terror attack has left many Muslims worried that it may flame tensions which could lead to Islamophobia.
According to the Independent, Barcelona and the surrounding Catalonia region are responding differently than the rest of the Europe, the capital city of Spain and its surrounding cities are resisting being drawn into a post attack culture war.
On Sunday, thousands of Muslims marched down La Rambla, where the two coordinated attacks took place. The march included people from all walks of life, from women men and children all chanting in unison: “I am Muslim! Not a terrorist!” Non-Muslims lined the sidewalks, clapping and crying. Some stepped forward to hug demonstrators as they passed.
With the onset of terrorism in Europe, many citizens are fierce and have expressed anti-Muslim and anti-immigration sentiments. This has influenced many political parties to speak on migration issues calling for strict ban on immigration from Muslim countries.
Muslims have lived in Barcelona, a left leaning city, for centuries the recent attack has brought many officials and citizens speaking out openly against the Islamophobic backlash that’s seen elsewhere in Europe.
Charles Puigdemont, Catalonia’s regional president, spoke in defense of the local Moroccan population, “The Moroccan people are integrated in Catalonia, and they have made important contributions to the community.”
Carola García-Calvo, a senior terrorism analyst at Elcano, said that part of the reason was that Barcelona has long been a receiving centre for immigrants and one of the few places in Spain, where the vulnerable generation of second-generation immigrant youths has matured in a concentrated mass.
A small group of demonstrators after the attack protested against the “Islamisation of Europe”. The members were from the far-right Falange movement – named for a fascist group active in 1930s Spain.
The demonstration was dispersed after thousands of counter-protesters came out in response, drowning out the group of a handful of protestors and forcing them to disband.
Muslim residents in Barcelona march along Las Ramblas to the Plaza de Catalunya to protest against terrorism. Photo: AFP
A number of Muslim citizens living in Barcelona stated that they have not experienced any kind of discrimination before or after the attacks last week, but they admitted that Islamophobia exists in Spain.
Sana Ullah Gondal, 51, from Pakistan, owns a computer supply store here. He said that his 15 years in Spain have been marked by a notable absence of prejudice.
“There are drunk and drugged people who sometimes speak badly,” he said, in an interview in his shop. “But normal people don t say anything.”
Naoufal, 22, a young Moroccan waiter in a trendy cafe in the city s Nadal district, said he felt a subtle change in the way he was perceived after the attack. He felt he had drawn heavy scrutiny because of the way he looked.
“They see you in a car with a Moroccan face, and the police tell you to stop. Yesterday I left work, and they stopped me like four times, from here to my house,” he said emphasising that it was just a short distance away.
Chaima Jalili, 23, is from Morocco, in the same demographic as the ring of suspects. She came to Barcelona three years ago to study design, she said.
“Actually, Barcelona has been great to me,” she said. “I ve been to France and Germany, and I ve never felt more safe and secure.” Every morning before going out, she said, she puts on her scarf. “I ve never been scared.”
She also stated that she has never experienced any kind of Islamophobia.
