Citizens of the EU,
We all remember the picture of a young Syrian boy washed up dead on a Turkish beach. That is the shocking reality and devastating truth of the migrant crisis you are trying to ignore and avoid. Are we not all human? Are we not all equals? Then why deny the basic human rights to helpless and scared people who just want to be safe?
I understand the fears of allowing these asylum seekers into EU since most of the refugees are Muslims. The Muslim population will rise turning Europe into a mostly Muslim continent. Not only is that fear completely irrational but it is also completely religionist. The current Muslim population in all EU continent is 4%. Even if the EU grants asylum to the refugees and that the refugees are all Muslims, the Muslim population will only rise from 4% to 5%. Most of the citizens of the EU consider themselves a follower of some form of Christianity, so in no circumstances will the refugees change the majority of the religions in the EU.
Some people also have the misconception that refugees mean a higher birth rate, a higher crime rate and a complete collapse in society. Those ideas are harmful and a bit irrational. Firstly the birth rate in the western world is particularly low so some will think that the refugees will overtake the “native” population in a few decades. Studies show that the birth rate of Muslims decrease as the education and standard of living rise. So there is no need to fear this misinterpretation as it will not happen.
The fear of a higher crime rate by allowing refugees asylum is also a misunderstanding. Studies show that when a refugee is an immigrant, they are less likely to choose a life of crime over a life of business and honesty. When they are allowed to work they will be fine doing “low-grade jobs” like cleaners, construction workers,etc which many EU citizens refuse to do themselves. The intake of more refugees actually provides a source of labour. The refugees can have a sustainable lifestyle while helping the EU’s economy grow. This will not lead to a societal collapse but on the contrary is a win-win situation.
The EU is a group of the wealthiest economies on the planet with infrastructure, democracy, huge industries and has many functioning social systems. The EU can definitely handle the migrant crisis, the same goes for the entire western world but the problem is they don’t want to help. Jordan has taken in over 600,000 refugees but the UK having 78 times of Jordan’s GDP has only allowed 20,000 syrians across its borders for the next 4 years. How is that fair to anyone especially to those in search of a safe home?
Things are getting better but not fast enough. You are writing history and how do you want to be remembered by future generations? You want to be people who go out to help those in need or as cowards hiding behind a fence who refuse to help? It is our duty to help those in need, we need to make a change before it’s too late.
Sincerely,
A small girl with big dreams
