AK Party Kayseri MP Dr. Murat Cahid Cıngı, speaking at the April 22, session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on “Fighting Religious Discrimination and Freedom of Belief,” highlighted one of Europe’s most pressing and sensitive issues: freedom of religion and belief.
In his remarks, Cıngı stressed that freedom of religion and belief is not a secondary right, but a cornerstone of democratic life and peaceful coexistence in Europe. He noted a rise in religion-based discrimination across the continent, adding that Islamophobia has become its most visible and troubling manifestation.
Underscoring the seriousness of the situation, Cıngı cited European Commission data showing that roughly 26 million Muslims live in the European Union, making them the second-largest religious group. Despite this, he said, 47% of Muslims report experiencing discrimination—a figure that exceeds 70% in some countries.
Cıngı said Islamophobia manifests in multiple ways: about 25% of incidents are linked to far-right political campaigns, 20% involve hate speech, and 15% take the form of verbal or physical attacks. These figures, he added, point to a broader democratic challenge facing Europe, as exclusion and discrimination based on religion undermine social cohesion and the principle of equal citizenship.
He concluded by emphasizing that freedom of religion and belief must be protected for everyone, and that strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding is essential. Europe, he said, must uphold a vision where differences are not feared but respected.
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