During the European Middle Ages, Catholics were predominant in European cities, while Jewish people usually lived in ghettos. Richard Sennett wrote in his book "Flesh and Stone": "Jewish people in Genoa were disconnected from the rest of the city's residents by being enclosed within a stone-windowed castle on an island. After they went out shopping in the morning, Jewish people would take refuge in that castle in the evenings. … They were believed to be the sources of all evils, including germs." Sennett also emphasized the common belief that Jewish people were only half-human.

The culture of exclusion has always been part of social culture in continental Europe. Jews and Muslims have constantly been discriminated against in less-populated and monotheistic Christian cities. During the same historical period, Muslim cities were crowded, thriving and prosperous. Muslims, Jews, and Christians peacefully co-existed in Bukhara, Baghdad, Istanbul, Cordoba and even Sicilia. Today, the same beautiful, multicultural life continues to exist in various neighborhoods of Istanbul.

Yet, the majority of continental Europe's interactions with its "other" occurred during the period of colonization. In an arrogant manner, colonialists occupied India, the Middle East and Africa. At the end of World War I, millions of Muslims settled in England, France, Portugal and Spain. After World War II, a political controversy surrounding refugees emerged. Living under harsh conditions, refugees in Europe were struggling to survive — just like the people in their colonized homelands.

After the end of World War II, the notions of democracy, human rights and the rule of law came to the forefront in war-weary Europe under the guidance of the United States. Muslims, Christians and Jews began to live together in lawful order, much like in the Islamic cities of the Middle Ages. The rise of "European values" was an extraordinary achievement, not only for the continent, but also for humanity as a whole. Freedom of expression, freedom of thought and conscience, the right to live, the right to assembly and demonstration and even gay rights were highly respected. The Western golden age or the "European era of bliss" continued from the early 1950s until the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2011.European identity during the Middle Ages relied on two phenomena: First, the Crusades had had a tremendous effect. Second, the phobia towards the Ottomans, who had put military pressure on European borders, also contributed a great deal.

Once inspiring the whole world in terms of democracy, continental Europe now struggles amidst economic stagnation, unemployment, xenophobia and Islamophobia. The mushrooming of racist political parties in Europe led to the emergence of a single "other" in the present fluctuating European identity. Currently, Turkey, as a growing country with charismatic leadership, appears to be the perfect target. Therefore, Turkey's prospective membership in the European Union as a Muslim country with 80 million citizens has become a nightmare for the European far-right and extremist political parties.

Now, German newspapers threaten Turkey and its government by publishing newspaper supplements titled "No!" Additionally, the German government blocked Turkish ministers' participation in a conference in their country. By relying on false excuses, both Germany and Holland have unlawfully restricted freedom of expression.

Even if Turkey is not involved in any international controversy, racist political parties require a Muslim "other" for their political discourse of discrimination. The next step in the present European xenophobia is anti-Semitism. As a result, both Muslims and Jewish people should be anxious about the rise of racism in Europe.