The Dalai Lama Says There are “Too Many” Refugees in Europe & Warns Against Arab Domination

The Dalai Lama, the same man who called upon the world’s greatest leaders to formally address Europe’s influx of refugees in 2015, now claims there are “too many.”
In an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the Tibetan spiritual leader said, “Europe, for example Germany, cannot become an Arab country. There are so many in practice it becomes difficult.”
The refugees he is referencing–most of which are Arab–have had no choice other than to flee their countries in order to escape an endless civil war. Entire families have left everything behind in devastated countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan to make the risky trek to Europe. Many experts have considered the current refugee crisis the worst since World War II.
Germany, along with Austria, were both praised globally by humanitarian groups for allowing the majority of refugees from these war-torn countries to seek asylum in 2015. Germany’s population prior to admitting nearly 1 million refugees late last year was around 80 million.
In comparison, the amount of refugees to Europe has significantly decreased this year due to a EU deal that states they could be returned upon arrival. So far, around 50,000 people have found their way to Italy through Northern Africa by way of sea.
The Dalai Lama also added, “From a moral point of view, too, I think that the refugees should only be admitted temporarily. The goal should be that they return and help rebuild their countries.”
Ironically enough, the Dalai Lama is probably the world’s most famous refugee, which makes his recent statements even more interesting. In 1959, after the Tibetans rose up against Chinese, he led thousands of followers to India, where they and their families have remained peacefully since.
Could the simple logic behind the Dalai Lama’s comments be his intention of returning to Tibet one day? Some believe so.
Several Syrian refugees placed throughout Europe have already expressed their desire to return home in the future. Remaining in these countries, to them, could alter their faith and even identity, which many are not willing to do. Sadly, it has often proved difficult to successfully bring refugees back to their homeland after facing such turmoil.
Despite online criticism for his remarks, the Dalai Lama did express a hint of compassion for the individuals who are enduring this ongoing tragedy, “When we look into the face of every single refugee, especially the women and children, we can feel their suffering.”