Why?

(Try to find out what feelings and needs are alive in the other person: empathic resonance)

Are you feeling worried/terrified because you like to have security/stability?
Hearing you I think you are worried/terrified because you think there will be a greater chance of terroristic actions because of the refugees coming to Europe. You like to have security/ stability. Is that what you are saying?

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What if?

(‘Mirror questions’: how would it be if you were standing in the shoes of that person)

Do you know refugees personally? How do you think it is for them to be seen as potentially terroristic just because they have fled a war zone?
Don’t you think terrorist attacks in Europe affect refugees as much as they do you or even more because what refugees really need is protection from war and terrorism?

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Self-reflection

(Questions you can ask yourself in silence to support yourself in understanding the other person)

How important is stability/safety for me?
When do I need stability/safety?
How do I feel when this need is not fulfilled?

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Empowerment

(More information on the issue and tips how to explore the problem and continue the discussion)

It is true: one objective of terrorist groups is to spread fear and terror through arbitrary attacks. This is exploited by some to fuel the general rejection of people of other origins. But if you look at most terroristic attacks, they have not been committed by refugees but by people who have been living in the country long before.