European Muslims and the Secular State

The institutionalization of Islam in the West continues to raise many questions for a range of different constituencies. Secularization represents much more than the legal separation of politics and religion in Europe; for important segments of European societies, it has become the cultural norm. Therefore, Muslims' settlement and their claims for the public recognition of Islam have often been perceived as a threat. This volume explores current interactions between Muslims and the more or less secularized public spaces of several European states, assessing the challenges such interactions imply for both Muslims and the societies in which they now live. Divided into three parts, it examines the impact of State-Church relations, 'Islamophobia' and 'the war on terrorism', evaluates the engagement of Muslim leaders with the State and civil society, and reflects on both individual and collective transformations of Muslim religiosity.'The place of Muslims in Europe has never been more topical. Hence the need for measured and careful accounts of both the institutional context and the actors involved in different parts of Europe. This collection offers both, providing much needed background to current debate.' Grace Davie, University of Exeter, UK 'This welcome collection provides fresh and invaluable insights into some of the foremost issues surrounding Muslims in contemporary Europe.' Professor Steven Vertovec, University of Oxford, UK