Nowdays, Muslims are facing a huge challenge in Western societies : integration. The community’s integration is very controversial since on the one hand, some argue that Muslim culture and moral conservatism contrast too much with secular and sexually liberal Europe, on the other hand, some Muslims themselves argue that they are loyal to the nation in which they reside and strongly identify with it.
A recent study concerning public perceptions about Islam was published in Le Monde. It shows that 40% of French and German people think Islam rather represents a threat to the identity of their country. The polled mentioned many reasons explaining this fear such as Muslim bringing together in areas or schools, rejection of Western values or increase of fanaticism.
Contrasting to a world where multiethnicity is constantly swelling, becoming a great stake to reach, the feeling that Islam can represent a threat has never been so alarming. Similar polls conducted in the early 2000s did not reveal such a reaction from French and German people. The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on the World Trade Center has certainly affected people’s point of view in a negative way however, the incrasing fear can be differently analysed.
French anthropologist Dounia Bouzar emphasizes the influence of political speeches on this growing phenomenon. By denouncing radical aspects of the religion such as wearing the burka, influencing leaders would arouse citizens’ harsh judgement.
For example, a debate over national identity and banning of headscarves was launched last summer in France by the current government. It has been followed by the question of street prayer qualified of ‘illegal territory occupation’ by extreme-right-wing leader Marine Le Pen. Both of these events, having been over-represented in the media, have created a huge controversy and consequently impacted people’s impressions.
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel broke a taboo declaring that the multicultural model in which several cultures would harmoniously live together had completely failed. Furthermore, we can take into account the effect of anti-islamic views of former Central Bank chairman Thilo Sarrazin.
Thus, many people think that Islamic and Western values are worlds apart and they are loudly arguing that Islam is incompatible with their values or democracy despite the changes Muslim countries are now experiencing. Nevertheless, Islam is not allways used as a radical tool. According to Jocelyne Cesari, Director of Islam in the west Program at Harvard University, we need a better understanding of the diversity of Muslim groups and the way they deal with culture, the effort they make in order to be in harmony with their environment. She declares that current discourse against Islam is carefully managed and framed by opinion makers, at the same time it does serve political purposes.
Emilie FERT
It’s completely true when you say that nowadays societies have to face the integration’s challenge. We just have to turn on the radio, to read the newspaper to realize the growing number of debates. But we have to be careful and try to stand back in front of the media and political points of view and the reality they want to give us.
ReplyDeleteThus, it’s important to not generalize all the stereotypes (such as the dress code), even if it’s always easier to. The point is to find where the real problem is. For example, some Muslims have to pray in the Parisian streets (especially in the Quartier Barbès) ; but if the government or the local authorities really wanted to do anything, they had built or converted some buildings years ago in order to permit these persons to pray in good conditions. I don’t think the Government would let Christians to pray on the bare ground…
Everyone has to understand that the world we live in is now multicultural and that society is opened to diversity in its general aspects (cultural, religious, culinary, musical…) ; whether the population like it or not. The most important is to find agreements and limits in which everyone will act freely.
Anne R.