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Muslims in Europe: Managing Multiple Identities and Learning Shared Citizenship
Abstract
This article offers a tour d’horizon of the new Muslim communities formed in
western Europe in the last forty years, now numbering some 13 million. After
some idiosyncratic, historic notes, a summary ethnic, socio-economic and
demographic profile is given, followed by a suggested four phase development
cycle. The differential incorporation of Muslims in public and civic life turns
on a consideration of a number of factors: the presence of at least three different
models for managing diversity within western Europe, as well as the
institutional space accorded to “religion” in public life across Europe. Muslims
are not presented as passive victims of exclusion but social actors carving out
space for a distinctive “identity politics.” Within the various Muslim communities
a debate is taking place on whether or not they should participate in
electoral politics – the contours of this debate are drawn. Attention is also
drawn to inter-generational tensions and the issue of “radicalization” amongst
sections of the Muslims educated and socialised in the West. The article concludes
by reflecting on the whether the churches can act as an antidote to far
right politics and “religious nationalism.”
western Europe in the last forty years, now numbering some 13 million. After
some idiosyncratic, historic notes, a summary ethnic, socio-economic and
demographic profile is given, followed by a suggested four phase development
cycle. The differential incorporation of Muslims in public and civic life turns
on a consideration of a number of factors: the presence of at least three different
models for managing diversity within western Europe, as well as the
institutional space accorded to “religion” in public life across Europe. Muslims
are not presented as passive victims of exclusion but social actors carving out
space for a distinctive “identity politics.” Within the various Muslim communities
a debate is taking place on whether or not they should participate in
electoral politics – the contours of this debate are drawn. Attention is also
drawn to inter-generational tensions and the issue of “radicalization” amongst
sections of the Muslims educated and socialised in the West. The article concludes
by reflecting on the whether the churches can act as an antidote to far
right politics and “religious nationalism.”