jfid – Islamophobia is a global phenomenon that has negative impacts on Muslims worldwide. By definition, Islamophobia is “racism directed at expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness”.
In other words, Islamophobia encompasses fear, hatred, and discrimination against individuals who practice Islam or exhibit characteristics associated with Islam, such as names, clothing, or culture.
Islamophobia is not a new phenomenon. Since the Middle Ages, Islam has been viewed as an enemy and threat to Europe, especially following the Crusades and the Muslim conquest of Spain.
The portrayal of Islam as a barbaric, fanatical, and intolerant religion has been ingrained in the collective consciousness of Europe for centuries.
However, Islamophobia has intensified and spread in the modern era, particularly after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, which triggered waves of violence and suspicion against Muslims in many countries.
One country experiencing a wave of Islamophobia is Portugal, a nation with a long history and relationship with Islam.
Portugal was one of the European countries that was once dominated by Muslims for more than five centuries, from the 8th to the 13th centuries. Traces of Islam are still visible in Portugal’s architecture, language, and culture.
However, after reclaiming its territory from Muslims, Portugal became one of the most active countries in the Crusades and colonization. Portugal also became heavily involved in the slave trade, which often involved African Muslims.
With such a historical background, how has Islamophobia developed in Portugal? Is Islamophobia in Portugal as strong and widespread as in other European countries?
How do Muslim communities in Portugal live and adapt to Portuguese society, which is predominantly Catholic? Are there any threats or challenges faced by Muslims in Portugal, particularly from right-wing anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim political parties?
In this article, I will explain the background, facts, and data on Islamophobia in Portugal, as well as provide my analysis and opinions on this topic from the perspective of a Muslim living in Portugal.
If you feel offended or disagree with this article, please feel free to stop reading and find another article more suited to your preferences.
Background: Islam and Portugal, Love or Hate?
The relationship between Islam and Portugal is complex and contradictory. On the one hand, Islam has made significant contributions to the development of Portugal in various fields such as science, art, literature, and economy.
Many prominent figures and cultural works in Portugal have been influenced by Islam, such as the poet Fernando Pessoa, novelist José Saramago, singer Mariza, or the fado music.
On the other hand, Islam has also been a source of conflict and enmity for Portugal, in the forms of wars, colonization, and the slave trade.
Portugal has experienced many tragedies and traumas due to Islam, such as massacres, expulsions, or oppression.
The relationship between Islam and Portugal can be likened to that of Romeo and Juliet, two lovers from feuding families. They love each other but also hate each other. They strive to unite but also strive to destroy each other. They live in tension and contradiction, which ultimately leads to death and sorrow.
However, unlike Romeo and Juliet who died together, Islam and Portugal still coexist and interact to this day. Islam still exists in Portugal, although not as prominently as in other European countries.
According to the 2011 census data, there are around 50,000 Muslims in Portugal, mostly from African, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries. They live in various cities such as Lisbon, Porto, Faro, or Coimbra.
They also have various organizations, such as the Islamic Community of Lisbon, the Islamic Community of Porto, or the Islamic Federation of Portugal. They also have several mosques, such as the Central Mosque of Lisbon, the Al-Madinah Mosque, or the Al-Ihsan Mosque.
Islam in Portugal is not limited to those born Muslim but also includes those who convert to Islam, either for personal reasons, family, or marriage. One example is Maria Carvalho, a former Catholic nun who converted to Islam after marrying a Moroccan man.
She changed her name to Fatima Zahra Carvalho and established an Islamic cultural center in Lisbon called Darul Ilm. She also became an activist advocating for the rights of Muslims in Portugal, such as the right to dress according to Sharia, the right to worship in public, or the right to receive Islamic religious education in schools.
Islam in Portugal also extends beyond those who practice Islam to include those who are interested in or sympathetic to Islam, whether for intellectual, aesthetic, or spiritual reasons. One example is António Guterres, a politician and diplomat who served as Prime Minister of Portugal and Secretary-General of the United Nations.
He is known for respecting and appreciating Islam and for seeking to build good relations with the Muslim world. He has visited various Muslim countries such as Morocco, Turkey, Iran, or Indonesia. He has also addressed the High-Level Conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and stated that “Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, and justice”.
From the examples above, it seems that the relationship between Islam and Portugal is currently a harmonious and mutually beneficial one. Islam enriches Portuguese society and culture, while Portugal provides a place and opportunity for Muslims to live and thrive.
Islam and Portugal seem to have forgotten their dark and hostile past and chosen to build a bright and cooperative future. Islam and Portugal seem to have reconciled and become friends, like two old friends reuniting after a long separation.
However, is the relationship between Islam and Portugal really as beautiful as it seems? Is Islamophobia truly nonexistent in Portugal? Do Muslims really feel safe and comfortable in Portugal? Are there any disturbances or threats to the relationship between Islam and Portugal?
To answer these questions, we need to look deeper and critically at the facts and data on Islamophobia in Portugal, which I will discuss in the next section.
