Europe is currently facing a migration crisis on its shores, where both Christian and Muslim refugees from Africa and the Middle East go to flee from conflicts and poor economic standards in their home countries. Now some Muslims are engaging in persecution of Christians in European refugee camps through harassment.
According to Adelle Nazarian of Breitbart, a Pakistani Christian named Nadeem captured secret video footage of his life inside a European refugee camp. He noted that the harassment he faced inside there mostly came from Muslims, in particular those who fled the war-torn country of Syria.
"We are here [in the Netherlands] for a simple life, a respectful life. And still we have the same problem as [we did in Pakistan]," 30-year-old Nadeem said, adding that Muslims tormented him for years back in Pakistan.
The YouTube video, which had Dutch subtitles, showed how Nadeem lived inside the camp; he shared his room with an Iranian Christian and a Syrian Muslim. Since its publication on Tuesday, the video has received nearly 29,000 hits.
"Nadeem details in Dutch writing in the video how, despite seeking aid in resolving the issue from the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), the government agency has done nothing to help him," Nazarian wrote. "The discrimination he and his Iranian Christian roommate face include being barred from using the refrigerator in the room they share with the Muslim Syrian refugee because their meat is not Halal (the Muslim standard for meat)."
According to Nazarian, the Muslims would conduct their call to prayer five times a day in the camp. Nadeem pointed out that aspect of Muslim life negatively affected his quality of life.
"Non-Muslims are not permitted into the kitchen during these times and are scolded if they make a peep while the prayers are being conducted," Nazarian wrote, citing Nadeem. "The Muslim refugees have continuously displayed their intolerance through violent reactions, which Nadeem says has left him fearing for his life."
Nadeem observed that his Muslim roommate had a sleep schedule that interfered with his normal daily routine, particularly in regards to watching television.
"Most of the time they wake up all night and sleep all day," Nadeem said. "It is not 8 o'clock or 10 o'clock [in the morning] but 12 o'clock in the [afternoon]... so I am not wrong."
A Dutch-language report from website Reformed Daily highlighted that although the suggestion was given to Nadeem to change rooms, he contended that no good solution exists between him and the Muslims in the camp.
"This person discriminates against us," Nadeem said of his roommate. "Of course I can change rooms, but what is the difference between Pakistan and the Netherlands?"
Dutch MP Joël Voordewind told Reformed Daily that he regularly received reports from Christians indicating that they felt unsafe "in the vicinity of radical Muslims" who also lived in the asylum center.
"We will also bring this situation to the attention of the Secretary of Jusice," Voordewind said. "It cannot be that Muslims claim a kitchen five times a day for themselves."
Voordewind indicated he will bring up the issues during the next meeting of the Dutch Parliament.
"The rule of etiquette at a refugee center is that there is no place for discrimination and that the daily affairs of the sign of quality of life and safety of our residents," Voordewind wrote.
In its defense, COA told Reformed Daily that "public spaces such as a kitchen" are not allowed to be used for religious purposes or prayer. However, the agency insists that freedom of religion is still practiced at the refugee center.
"This means that residents must leave each other in their value regardless of religion, political beliefs or sexual orientation," COA said. "[Professions of] faith should take place in the private area. The COA maintains the room layout [and] utmost account of nationality, religion and other circumstances."
COA added it will consider the religion of the residents in room assignments if a request is made.
"The important thing is that people who get along well with each other come together in a room," COA said. "The viability and safety of residents is paramount."
According to Breitbart, the refusal of Muslim refugees to integrate in Western societies has contributed to both hostility and difficulty in Europe.
"Europe's Muslim 'no-go zones' have recently been documented on video as a show of this creeping change," Nazarian wrote.
