European Islamophobia Report 2015

14.7.2016

Question for written answer E-005803-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Paul Rübig (PPE)

The European Islamophobia Report 2015 was recently presented at the European Parliament. It was funded by the Turkish lobbying group SETA. This group is cited as the holder of the rights to the report, and receives much of its funding from the Turkish State. Shortly afterwards, there was a presentation at the European Commission's premises in Austria and an international conference in Sarajevo, at which the two editors, Dr Enes Bayraklı and Dr Farid Hafez, spoke.

In addition to SETA, the partners of the conference are said to include many Islamist organisations, which, according to reports in the media, have close relationships with the Muslim Brotherhood and Milli Görüs. These reports mention, for example, Emisco, the European Forum of Muslim Women, CCIF and MJÖ. The aim of the project seems to be to set the agenda in a manner convenient to Turkey. It is hoped that religious conflicts in Europe can be fanned further rather than contributing to integration. If the suspicion that Islamist groups are driving the Islamophobia debate in Europe proves to be correct, such lobbying activities ought to be rejected.

1. Did the Commission provide any financial or other support for the writing or presentation of the European Islamophobia Report 2015?

2. Were any Commission experts involved, in any form, in the writing of the report?

3. What is the Commission's assessment of this agenda-setting or lobbying by a Turkish-backed organisation?