Muslims in Europe have grown from a few hundred thousands in the 1950s to an estimated over 12 million across the continent, many of whom still suffer marginalisation, unemployment and poverty.
While the first generation of Muslims - mainly labourers from North Africa and Asia - suffered from problems of adjustment, their sons and daughters are now torn between belonging to the culture of Islam and that of Europe.
Nowadays two contrasting images of Muslims living in Britain are being portrayed.
One is of Muslims calling for their rights by way of demonstrating against the ban on Hijab in public schools etc. They project a clear expression of a desire to be integrated into British society, but without losing their distinct identity.
The second picture is of angry young British Muslims burning the Union Flag and shouting slogans in support of Osama Bin Laden outside a London mosque, a dramatic articulation of their radical rejection of Western values.
The question of identity and integration of the Muslim populace in Britain and indeed in Europe as a whole has been preoccupying many governments, politicians and think tanks alike over the past years, especially post 9/11. Muslim community leaders, Imams and groups have equally been grappling with this notion for too long.
|
