Deconstructing the Arguments in Favour of Politicisation of Muslim Immigrants in the EU

Abstract In recent decades, the phenomenon of international immigration has witnessed a dramatic increase, propelled by factors such as globalisation, escalating poverty and hunger, environmental degradation, war, and civil unrest. Since 2015, a notable surge in immigration from Muslim-majority countries to Europe has occurred, attributed to the geographic proximity of Europe to crisis-ridden areas like the Middle East and North Africa. On the other hand, in recent years, extreme right-wing and racist tendencies have proliferated across nearly all European nations. Immigrants, particularly those of Muslim faith, have become easy scapegoats for these right-wing elements, portraying them as threats to European identity, values, culture, and economy. This article aims to delve into the perception of Europeans towards Muslim immigrants, addressing the pivotal question: Is the immigration of individuals from Muslim countries to the European Union a genuine threat or a constructed one? The paper systematically deconstructs the primary arguments depicting Muslim immigrants as threats to the security, identity, and economy of European countries. It rigorously contends that this perceived threat is predominantly constructed by certain right-wing politicians and media outlets.