Europe has long struggled with the treatment of its Muslim communities. The French riots last fall were not the beginning of racial, religious, and cultural tensions on the Continent. After 9/11, what had already been a pain in the neck became a nightmarish migraine. The events of 9/11 and the subsequent global response did anything but eliminate existing tensions. As free nations developed strong stances on counterterrorism, people of countries with significant immigrant populations started questioning previous immigration policies. “Did we embrace multiculturalism at the expense of our own security?” became a question common in most Western countries. This doubt worsened prejudice in both Muslims and non-Muslims. Needless to say, the two groups are hardly in a honeymoon period.

On August 24^th, the British government took an important action in addressing problems arising from counterterrorism policies and multicultural community relations. The Department for Communities and Local Governments established the Commission on Integration and Cohesion. The purpose of the Commission is to investigate racial tensions, discrimination, and segregation, as well as to provide aswers for communities dealing with these problems. With the creation of this commission, Britain has made a step in the right direction. If effective, the Commission could generate a guideline for Europe, where many multicultural societies continue to struggle to balance security and human rights.

For people living in the free world, balancing security and human rights creates a serious dilemma: there is no clear-cut way to provide security without violating an inch of any human right. The dilemma arises not because there are anonymous embedded psychopaths plotting to harm innocent civilians, but because these terrorists are directly linked with specific religious and racial identities. Terrorists who are the “enemies” in the global war on terror are overwhelmingly Muslims of Arab descent, regardless of nationality. The easy way out is to label all Muslims as terrorists or advocates of terrorists. However, such a notion is more than just inaccurate. Common though it may be, racial or religious profiling is still not a respected practice for citizens of the free world. People start taking sides and accusing the opposition of abandoning a critical component.

While strengthening counterterrorism measures, European governments must also advance rigorous and comprehensive policies to help its Muslim communities out of poverty and segregation. Governments should, in addition, take the lead in educating the public about the difference between moderate Muslims and extremist Muslim ideologues. Caught between poverty and discrimination, Muslim communities become vulnerable to the penetration of extremism. Last year’s wave of riots in France was a painful reminder that Europe’s race problem (like America’s) is strongly linked to socioeconomic issues. Educating white Europeans against prejudice is not enough. Neither is developing harmonious relations between white and Muslim communities. Active government involvement in improving the economic states of Muslim communities—for example, affirmative action policies—will help moderate Muslims defy violent tactics and extremism through social and economic empowerment.

Because this era is so unfavorable for racial and religious harmony, Europe should reach out to clean up this problem once and for all. Governments must first start by helping to bring unity in their respective nations. The people of each nation must develop a sense of national pride that is not defined by race or religion. Needless to say, both Muslims and non-Muslims must make efforts. These tasks will not be easy, but they are by no means impossible.

The presence of national heroes who transcend racial and religious barriers may be a good start. Look at Zinedine Zidane. Zidane, who is a recently-retired soccer icon, grew up in the ghettos of Marseilles as the son of an Algerian immigrant. His infamous headbutting incident during this year’s World Cup finals against Italy created a huge controversy. Regardless of the Italian player’s provocation which triggered the incident, Zidane could not have complained if he were stripped of his Golden Ball award or if he were criticized by his countrymen for possibly costing France the World Cup. However, neither of these scenarios came true. His unsportsmanlike conduct in one of the world’s greatest sporting events united Frenchmen of all racial backgrounds (at least temporarily). A majority of the French condoned Zidane’s unprofessional action and instead blamed the Italian player. Zidane was hailed as a hero. A man from a poor, European-Muslim community became a source of national pride in a nation troubled with racial, religious, and cultural tensions.

Zidane may not be an ideal figure, but he is a good example of how national identity can rise above racial and religious differences. A common national identity strengthens a nation. With greater national unity, European countries can combat extreme Islamic terrorists with increased effectiveness. Harmonious relations between moderate Muslims and non-Muslims are the key to a safer and peaceful Europe.