We live in the age of refugee, the age of exile!!!

Yes it’s true; we are living in the age of refugees. Even though, the refugee crisis needs greater attention, nobody is paying attention to the issue. The crisis needs the whole world’s involvement in handling it. But the officials and the people knowingly or unknowingly neglect the issue.

But, now some writers has decided to break their silence, come forward and expressed their opinion on the issue. They have decided to speak on the Europe’s agenda in refugee crisis. Many of the refugees who found their way have been blocked by West European and American anti-Semitism. These writers are raising their voices against these atrocities.

British journalist and literary critic, Caroline Moorehead points out that, if the refugees all around the world were a nation, the population of displaced and dispossessed people would be the 24th largest country in the world. And it would be a young nation as more than half of all refugees today are under the age of 18. It’s not just scale of this crisis that’s the problem, but the speed at which it is growing.

She says that in the refugee world vocabulary is all about growth: more child refugees, more asylum applications, and more criminal networks of smugglers, more migrants in detention, and more refugees in more long term camps- more than 4 million of them today. What do not grow of course, are the funds.

She complained that the west is paying no attention to the issue. Even though, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called it the defining issue of our times, nobody is looking at the issue with that importance it actually  needs.  

People often see refugees as scroungers, malingerers, and the people stealing our jobs.

Scottish author and Playwright, Ali Smith too has a similar opinion like Caroline Moorehead. Smith opines that this crisis shows the government’s moral immaturity. “We have to stop the rhetorical suggestion that what’s happening  to all of us, is happening elsewhere and is matter of numbers, not people, as if being arefugee is a state different from or somehow less than human. Now it is the time to respond to this full scale, critical and terrible situation”.

“This emergency has proven that the government all over the world should start thinking more fluidly, openly, inclusively and inventively when it comes to the drawing of frontiers. We need to stop thinking exclusively. We need to start thinking on an international level and addressing injustices on such a level” Smith added.

While some of them view it from the perspective of official’s irresponsibility and problems in our thinking, others view it in the perspective of religion and fanaticism.    To stop thinking exclusively, we need to start thinking on an international level and addressing injustices on such a level” Smith added.

While some of them view it from the perspective of official’s irresponsibility and problems in our thinking, others view it in the perspective of religion and fanaticism.

Turkish author and columnist, ElifShafak has the opinion that Middle East is filled with religious fundamentalism, fanaticism and xenophobia. ‘‘If apathy is an active force, we must turn empathy into an active force as well. Wisdom, understanding, compassion, humanism and the influence of women  must be brought into 

into our global political and cultural discourse as agents of change. Don’t forget that globalization is not about the rise of information technology and circulation of capital’’.

One of the important points put forward in the discussion is by Scottish writer, Kate Clanchy. She connects the issue with the importance of giving education to the refugees and empowering them through education. It is indeed a very valuable point.

‘If we built well established, highly effective and genuinely multi-cultural schools, we could take in thousands of children of the road’ Clanchy says. She also criticizes David Cameron and says that it’s all a part of his job.

There are some people who notice the unnoticed. AhdafSoueif, Arundhati Roy and Gary Younge are among them. They noticed the kindness, generosity and compassion of the civilians towards the refugees.

Egyptian novelist, AhdafSoueif says that for years there has been an exasperation and anger on behalf of justice and humanity that implies people into initiatives, to help transport refugees across borders, to take strangers into their homes. The citizens who look beyond the headlines make up their own minds about the events. She adds that, for the majority, government and the traditional media bear a huge responsibility for their attitudes.

Indian-English writer and Booker prize winner, Arundhati Roy too finds hope in civilians. She says that ‘when we watch refugees crowd into camps and pour over the borders, we know we are not watching temporary crises. And she says that it’s heartwarming to see that the unspeakable cynicism of governments and petroleum companies is put to shame by the grace and generosity shown by thousands of ordinary Europeans who welcomed  the  refugees  with warmth and  food  and shelter.   British journalist and writer, Gary Younge too showed no hesitation in praising those 

people who lend their hands to welcome the refugees. ‘These were the people I was never sure existed. People who were prepared to actively welcome refugees with a popular, spontaneous expression of humanity and generosity had been sucked dry’.

Younge also adds that the issue can’t be solved by individual acts of charity, also the governments can’t be relieved of their International Obligations.

Like every coin has two sides, there are people who don’t have faith in the attitudes of European citizens.

Pakistani novelist, Mohsin Hamid is expressing his doubts on the attitude of European citizens. He says that the most important question raises is whether the people of Europe wish their countries to become the sort of societies that are capable of taking the steps that will be required to stop the flow of migration.

Some people are digging the history and roots of the problem. They say that we have to solve this issue from its roots.

Syrian wirter,SamarYazbek has this opinion of resolving the root causes of this tragedy. ‘Yes, we need to find a solution to the refugee crisis, but let’s start by talking transparently and impartially about the underlying causes of this catastrophe that sees no end’.

English classicist,Mary Beard too was digging the history. But through history she was trying to give us a moral lesson. She figured out the history of Roman asylums. She says that we all should learn from Romans, as they are so proud to think themselves as a nation of asylum.

British novelist, Rana Das Gupta has the opinion that refugee crisis is not a problem that occurred overnight. He says we can’t blame anyone over this issue. ‘Europe can’t complain of refugees  coming into their nations. And also they can’t stay unaffected by the immense turmoil of the contemporary world, she says.

When this kind of issues arises we often look forward to the peace organizations. What they do, will be the first question that emerges into our mind. These organizations have the responsibility to protect those who are in trouble.

That’s the reason why the British writer, Jan Werner Mueller is blaming the European Union. He says that ‘the European Union is systematically weakened and it is pleading to the member state governments on Refugee crisis. Both the Euro-crisis and refugee-crisis have demonstrated that a European Union in which nation states constantly break rules and haggle about who bears the costs of failed policies is bound to lose legitimacy in the eyes of its citizens’.

He says that European Union is controlled by Germany and they are shaping all the rules for its advantage. The EU can’t function well if it is driven according to German policy that is why they can’t make a decision in the crisis.

Speaking of policies, there is another one who urged to change the policy of Britain in the refugee crisis. British historian, JanKershew, he suggests that the nation needs a better refugee policy and it could bring benefits for Britain in terms of International Standing as well as possible economic advantage from the employment of skilled asylum seekers. He says it is better to co-operate than to continue the standoff.

When everybody was criticizing the Europeans for their attitude, renowned Turkish novelist and Nobel Prize winner, OrhanPamukh expressed his pleasure in the change of attitude of Europeans towards the Refugees when they have decided to welcome the refugees from Syria, North Africa and elsewhere. ‘The change of heart has been remarkable and of course I am pleased to see  this display of humanity this display of humanity and hope 

we continue to take responsibility for these people’ he says. At the same time Irish novelist  and journalist, ColmToibin is  doubtful about the status of refugees who has been accepted by Germany recently. He says that the question is what the status of these New Europeans will be if they remains in Germany itself and also what their status will be if they wish to leave Germany and settle or move elsewhere within Schengen area which comprises most of the EU with the exception of Ireland and the UK.

Last but not the least, what English writer, Jeanette Winterson says about the issue is the one that should be taken with utmost seriousness. Instead of criticizing, her words are guiding each and every one. She opines that the refugee crisis is a global crisis. Just as the economic crisis is a global crisis. We are one world. She added that every nation should put aside their fears of demographic change and political instability and come forward to support the refugees.

Everybody has different opinions. Some targeted the government, some targeted the peace making Organization, some speaks about the change in attitude towards Refugees from the side of Europe and some praises the humanitarian aids of the civilians. But one thing was common in everyone’s words, it’s about humanity. Everyone is asking to show some humanity towards these refugees. They too are human beings; they are struggling for a space, a space to live with security. At the same time, these writers are constantly asking the authorities to do something. They are calling for unity. Every nation must stand up and face the issue with courage. No nation could face it alone, it’s better to join hands with each other and fight together. Because, homelessness is such a crisis, which always questions our existence!!!

      Courtesy 'The guardian'