Most of western European countries have populations composed of 10 percent immigrants. In some of Europe’s biggest cities, the figure is as high as 30 percent. Some of these immigrants do not assimilate the mores of their host countries. Islam is said to be the biggest reason for this non-assimilation. This has become a challenge to host societies because Muslims comprise nearly ‘half of all new arrivals in Europe’ today, at 15-17 million people. There has been a monumental change since ‘there were almost no Muslims in Europe in the middle of the 20th century.’

Some of these host countries in Europe have stretched to the point of instituting changes ‘to accommodate the sensibilities of the newcomers.’ ‘A French law court has allowed a Muslim man to annul his marriage on the ground that his wife was not a virgin on their wedding night. The British pensions department has a policy of recognising (and giving some benefits to) “additional spouses”.’

Europeans are getting tired of such ‘accommodations’ and adjustments. A public opinion poll in Europe reveals that only 19 percent of Europeans think immigration is beneficial to their country, while 57 percent of those polled think that their country has “too many foreigners.”

These poll results have brought about policy changes from politicians who are left with no choice but hear the sentiments of the people. That is why ‘many countries are tightening their immigration laws, shifting to a skills-based immigration system and setting citizenship tests for would-be immigrants.’

Via The Economist