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Paris attack may increase Islamophobia in Europe: Finnish expert

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

A Finnish terrorism researcher believes that the recent terrorist attack in Paris could increase Islamophobia and political divisions in Europe, reported Finnish national broadcaster YLE on Thursday.

Terrorists attacked the offices of the magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris on Wednesday, leaving 12 people dead and 11 wounded.

Leena Malkki, a researcher on terrorism at the University of Helsinki, told YLE that the attack may increase anti-Islamic sentiment in Europe.

"I am mostly concerned how this will affect the polarization of the political situation in Europe. In particular, it may increase anti-Islamic moods and it may be utilized in politics," Malkki was quoted as saying.

"This can, of course, be seen also in Finland indirectly," she added.

Malkki said Islamophobia and political divisions could affect solutions to violence-related problems.

According to Malkki, the jihadist movement is going to revive in Europe, and this needs to be underlined also in Finland, she said.

She pointed out that Finland does not have any inoculation against terrorism, even though the risk is lower in the country than larger European countries. Endit