Integrating Islam in France (and Europe)
Abstract
While European states have successfully integrated waves of immigrants in the past, the recent settlement of a large Muslim population poses a variety of daunting challenges, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of growing Islamic fundamentalism worldwide. Because of the size of its Muslim population and its universalist definition of citizenship, France provides a good test case for the encounter between Islam and the West. In a new book, 集美麻豆asst. prof. Jonathan Laurence (political science) and co-author Justin Vaisse offer extensive and original insights into how such integration can be fostered in a diverse, secular democracy. Many in France and elsewhere view the growing role of Muslims in their society with a jaundiced eye, suspecting that new Muslim political and religious networks are a threat to European rule of law and the French way of life. Not surprisingly, however, the reality of the situation is far too complicated to be captured by slogans and slurs. Integrating Islam examines the complex reality of Muslim integration in France-its successes, failures, and future challenges.