The attack in Paris on Jan. 7 was shocking and there were some concerns regarding what kind of negative consequences this massacre might bring about. A political and sociological crisis that would strike France, which is the European country with the largest Muslim population, might spread all across Europe and even the world. This situation could cause a breakdown of global peace and disrupt its balance, the outlook of which is already bleak.This danger still exists to a critical degree in view of the fact that the situation in the world was not particularly promising before the attacks. Developed countries, while having the potential to quench the fire, were not involved in any meaningful initiatives. The deep wound inflicted in Syria has been growing before the eyes of the world for four years. Unfortunately, without meaningful and comprehensive help from strong, democratic countries, the Middle East hardly has the power to overcome enormous problems such as Syria and Iraq, or other dictatorial regimes. Egypt's attempt to get rid of their 40-year-old dictator via democratic means ended tragically with a military coup applauded by the West.Let's turn back to France. French President François Hollande acted with exemplary common sense and protected a much-cherished European value. He managed this grave crisis with success. He did not resort to easy methods, but drew a distinct line between terror and identities, Islam and Muslims. He stayed calm in the face of the shock created by the terrible events. One-and-a-half million French people - and of course the citizens of other European countries - supported this strong, ethical stance. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel guided the public in the right direction with her prudent attitudes and actions.These are strong behaviors that make European societies promising. Of course, it is still a little early for any comprehensive assessment. In the upcoming elections to be held in France, the public opinion will be clearly revealed. Since the first days after the attack, it has been said that Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Front, gained in popularity. While the Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West (PEGIDA) was on its way to becoming the new phenomenon of Germany, the attack in France gave the kiss of life to such movements. But still, I do not lack hope. I trust European common sense. The right leadership initiatives and democratic measures will prevent a shift in state policies based on segregation, isolation and strict security. In such a case, not only Muslims, but also European civilization and democratic values would be greatly harmed. Everyone should be aware of its potential to lead to a disintegration that would result in the collapse of the EU project and of European values in general.Hollande recently issued a crucial statement in which he underlined the fact that the nation should stand as a whole in the face of terrorism, adding that Islam coincides with all their democratic values and that extremist views are the only ones to blame for this pain and loss. Highlighting that it is important to tread carefully in a situation primed for chaos, Hollande said that Islamophobia is not different from anti-Semitism. "Anti-Muslim acts, like anti-Semitism, should not just be denounced, but severely punished. Muslims are the greatest victims of radicalism, intolerance and extremism. French people of the Muslim religion have the same rights, the same duties as all citizens. Secularism requires respecting all religions."Here, Europe has created an important opportunity to revise its problematic relations with immigrants and its Muslim citizens, an issue to which it previously had turned a blind eye. Can we expect a favorable result from such a painful incident? I hope so. Also in France, the insufficiencies and double standards of the idea of freedom of expression are being discussed. While everyone is condemning this massacre, they are also arguing that offensiveness that goes as far as racism should not be valorized in the name of freedom of expression.If Europe passes this hard test, it would positively affect not only the region, but also the turbulent conflict zones in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.