European Muslims: Facts and Challenges

Abstract

This paper serves to explore the concept of the European Muslims, the facts and challenges, from the perspective of a European Muslim. I aim to highlight some of the deep-routed issues that European Muslims have faced historically and continue to experience today. I consider the causes and rationale behind the current situation and look beyond to suggest ways in which this may evolve. Four contributory factors have led to the deepening multidimensional identity crisis of Western society – globalisation, immigration, the emergence of a new kind of citizen and social and terrorist violence. These have lead to the creation of physiological and emotional tensions, doubts and fears in both Muslims and people of other faiths. Similar questioning is also evident within Muslim-majority countries. I propose suggestions for how improvements might be achieved, for better coherency and understanding to enable us to evolve from this feeling of fear and doubt towards self-confidence and mutual trust through a long-term dialectical approach. I highlight the importance of long-term education to overcome the lack of knowledge of one another and the associated confusion that exists today. Official institutions and politicians also have an important role to play in the development of civic awareness and a common goal to consider a vision for more meaningful communication. There is a need to create and build upon sound foundations of respect for both the values of individuals and those of religious communities throughout Europe; a need to invite an in-depth, deliberate analysis of relevant dialogue between one another. Critical reflection and analysis of the fundamentals of all faiths are essential to help us to recognise the role of the spirituality and its importance to the individual, and for us to recognise the benefits and richness that the embracement of the plurality of our faiths can provide. I argue that effective public dissemination of accurate information is also necessary, looking at the influence of the media and the need for journalists to consider making more responsible, positive contributions – to be bold and to challenge but to be prepared to ask appropriate questions and distribute findings responsibly. This will in turn seek to encourage individual choice and responsibility of the ordinary citizen – enabling and encouraging us to listen to our neighbours, to take time to better understand one another wholly, without judgement and preconceptions and to identify how we can best cooperate – each of us actively participating and positively contributing towards our more all-inclusive societies.