Book Description

In the post-9/11 era the complexity of Muslim and non-Muslim relations within Europe has sharpened: Global events have contributed to the reshaping of religious and cultural, in particular Muslim, representations and arenas. The position of Europe as such is in doubt. Much of its future depends on how to deal with the emerging new ideals and realities with respect to religion and the challenges of Islam in Europe. Muslim participation in contemporary European affair has been long standing. But in the past the minority status of such ethnic and religious communities from the Middle East has never been in question. Now they are, Cities and communities now boast Muslim majorities. Questions emerge of bilingualism, political participation, head dress at public institutions of learning, and protection of other minorities, such as the Jewish community. On the other side, European concerns over immigration, unemployment, health and welfare for the newly arrived, and the admission of predominantly Muslim states into the European Community have begun to test the social welfare systems of many nations within Europe. The idea of cultural exchange based on tolerance has lost its magical aura. Volume 6 of the Yearbook of the Sociology of Islam presents a variety of discussions and case studies from different European countries related to how Muslims are responding to this situation, how they and Muslim representation change, and how cultural and public negotiation is involved in shaping new perceptions of Islam and Europe.