Islam in Europe: Diversity, Identity and Influence

by Aziz Al-Azmeh (Editor), Effie Fokas (Editor)

Events over recent years have increased the global interest in Islam. This 2007 volume seeks to combat generalisations about the Muslim presence in Europe by illuminating its diversity across Europe and offering a more realistic, highly differentiated picture. It contends with the monist concept of identity that suggests Islam is the shared and main definition of Muslims living in Europe. The contributors also explore the influence of the European Union on the Muslim communities within its borders, and examine how the EU is in turn affected by the Muslim presence in Europe. This book comes at a critical moment in the evolution of the place of Islam within Europe and will appeal to scholars, students and practitioners in the fields of European studies, politics and policies of the European Union, sociology, sociology of religion, and international relations. It also addresses the wider framework of uncertainties and unease about religion in Europe.

Genres: Islam, Politics, Nonfiction

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Aziz Al-Azmeh was born in Damascus. He received the PhD in Oriental Studies from University of Oxford. He is currently University Professor at the Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. His other works include Keywords, Islam in Europe, Ibn Khladun, and The Times of History.

Reviews

[Marie-aimée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une étude très intéressante dans son contexte actuel. Les faits d'amplitude politiques tels que les caricatures de Mohammed et la construction ou non de minarets en Europe sont exposés sous leurs jours sociologiques, et les préjugés à l'encontre des musulmans en Europe sont rejetés. On y perçoit également les perspectives du développement d'un islam européen.

A very interesting study in its current context. Facts of policies amplitude such as the cartoons of Mohammed and the building of minarets or not in Europe are exposed in their sociological way, and prejudice against Muslims in Europe are rejected. We can also see the prospects of the development of an European Islam.

"Globalization is a cultural process that favours the development of non-territorialised cultures and communities based on race, gender, religion, or even lifestyle. In this respect, Islam is a powerful element in identity formation, weaving together solidarity between various groups that are separated by the constraints of diverse nations, countries and cultures."

"[...] one must establish a reference to the country of origin. The country of origin and the role religion plays un it, are viewed from the outside and are projected onto the scren of differences to the society of immigration. Things which are not questioned in the home country because they are well established by tradition and on-going practice lose their self-evident character. [...]At least in the countries of the Near and Middle East, there exists an ethnocentric, conditioned and little-considered identification between nation and Islam. While there there is a well-established presence of Islam outside the Arab or Turkish nations, being Muslims and Arab-ness and Turkish-ness, respectively, have often been identified with one other. Such linkages begin to disintegrate with migration : in Europe, one is identifed as a Muslim and held responsible for events in the entire Islamic world."