No, it's not "cynical", it is, as rightly observed by Abraham, a piece of propaganda, myth or ideology, and one that usually comes with racism.
Avon Lady, I can't believe you actually even try to soften up that paragraph. Talk about the putting the head down in darkness...
There are issues to discuss concerning different religions, cultures and values, and there coexistence in Europe, but
this article deserves no credit whatsoever for putting them forward. Why should we need to read 99% rubbish, slanted comments, anecdotes, etc to sift out a few questions that most people are already aware of and that have received much better treatment and discussion in so many more places?
/Porphy