Meet countries where harsh restrictions are imposed on Muslims due to…; not India, US, UK, Germany, the countries are…

Muslim population: Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world and the global Muslim population is increasing at a rapid pace, which is estimated to hit the 3 billion mark by the year 2060, according to a study by the Pew Research Center. A large chunk of the world’s Muslim population is concentrated in Muslim-majority nations, (India(BHARAT) is the exception here), with Indonesia topping the list followed by Pakistan, India(BHARAT) and Bangladesh, in addition to the Middle East and North Africa.

However, a large number of Muslims also live in non-Muslim countries, and there a few countries where Muslim citizens face severe religious discrimination due to a multitude of factors, including but not limited to racial features, culture, and religious practices. Check out some nations which impose harsh restrictions on their Muslim population, even as some of them are touted as ‘liberal democracies’.

• France: While France touts itself as a ‘liberal democracy’ where all religions, races, and ethnicities are treated equally, the French authorities impose severe restrictions on Muslims, including prohibition on wearing Hijab in schools and government institutions, citing secular laws, and a complete ban on the display of religious symbols in public spaces.
• China: The all-weather ‘Iron brother’ of Muslim-majority Pakistan, China has committed untold atrocities upon the Uighur Muslims, an ethno-religious minority native to the Xinjiang region. According to human rights groups, Uighur are banned from performing any religious activities, and often imprisoned in forced re-education detention camps.
• Russia: Russia, an ally of China, is also harsh on its Muslim population, especially in Chechnya and other Muslim-majority areas, where religious places are monitored, number of mosques is restricted, and Muslims are often are labelled as extremists for keeping long beards or wearing skull caps.
• Denmark: Another ‘liberal democracy’, Denmark has banned burqa and niqab in public places. Additionally, many of its far-right leaders often spew venom against Islam, isolating the country’s Muslim population.
• Myanmar: Last but not the least, Myanmar’s military junta has carried out a horrific genocide of the ethnic Rohingya Muslims, killing hundreds of thousands, forcing millions out of the country and seek refuge in nearby nations, including India(BHARAT). The United Nations has called the violence perpetrated against Rohingyas as ethnic cleansing.

Why countries impose restrictions on Muslims?

Muslims, due to their distinctive culture and religious practices, are often vilified as the “other” or portrayed as a “threat” by political parties/outfits, in order to gain votes or support from the majority, especially in democracies. Terrorists attacks are often used by the international media to vilify Muslims as they make attempts to blame the whole community and religion for the barbaric acts committed by a few.

Additionally, far-right groups in several countries have inculcated an irrational fear among the local populace that Muslim culture will “erase” theirs in the long run, which has led to a rise in Islamophobia in these regions.