By Nabil Shebaib
Freelance writer
01/07/2004
The recent historic expansion of the European Union (EU) has brought
to focus issues relating to European Muslims, raising questions about
the impact of the expansion on their current and future conditions.
What can Muslims do to positively influence their current situation
and play an active role in the decision-making processes that impact
their existence at various levels in European societies? Although
there are Muslims throughout the European continent, this analysis
does not include the large Muslim population of either Turkey
(although Turkish politicians still raise the age-old question of
whether their country is part of Europe or Asia ) or the Balkan
states, particularly Albania , Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which
are not candidates for entry into the EU. The percentage of Muslims in
the countries that are not EU members is low, as is the case with the
10 countries which joined the EU on May 1, 2004 . The situation in
Cyprus is unique in that unlike the Greek section, the Turkish section
-- home to 160,000 Muslims out of the island's total population of
800,000 -- was denied entry into the EU.
Estimates of the Muslim population in the recently expanded EU vary
considerably owing to the lack of accurate statistics. Out of a
population of 450 million, Muslims are estimated at between 15 and 25
million. In countries like France , Germany and Britain , the Muslim
population reaches into the millions. During the height of the hijab
crisis in France , voices emerged in the Western media calling on
Muslim women to leave France if they would not abide by its laws. The
question then arose: Where should they go, and by what justification
when France is their motherland?
The past few decades have witnessed a religious revival amongst
European Muslims.
European Muslims need to actively interact with other segments of
society, rather than presenting themselves as a minority attempting to
claim its rights from a majority that can deny or withhold these
rights. In general, using extreme measures to demand these rights is
not only an ineffective position, but also a harmful one. The
overwhelming majority of Muslims in Europe are part of the fabric of
society. Like other groups, Muslims have certain peculiarities that
distinguish them from the rest of society. Irrespective of their
cultural heritage or religion, all these other groups remain an
integral part of the society, which has become a mosaic of cultures,
creeds, nationalities and religions. Dialogue, co-existence, and even
conflict govern the relationships between them, but none is excluded
or marginalized as a minority. This should also apply to the Muslim
populations of the EU countries.
European Muslims do not represent a transient historical phenomenon,
and there is no evidence of a decline in their presence. On the
contrary, there are many indications that the Muslim presence in
Europe will increase. According to European and UN studies, the
results of these drastic demographic changes in European countries
will play themselves out in the coming decades. Amongst the factors
that contribute to this change is the increase in European Muslim
birth rates in comparison with those of other groups. Other projected
changes are a decrease in the working-age population and an increase
of the retiring-age population - a situation that is impossible to
balance without opening the door to immigrants, which can hardly be
achieved without including millions of Muslim immigrants.
Muslims in European Society
In the past, European Muslims were viewed as foreigners, alien to
society. This, however, is no longer the case, as the vast majority of
Muslims are either of European descent, descendents of immigrants, or
are themselves immigrants who arrived a few decades ago. They are part
and parcel of European society. If Muslims are peculiar by virtue of
their religion, then this applies to all religious groups, including
Catholics, Protestants, Zoroastrians, Buddhist and others.
Although there are no accurate statistics on the Muslim population of
the EU countries, available information can provide an outline of
their demographics. The ratio of Muslims to the total population of
the EU countries ranges between 3.5 and 5.5%. However, the ratio of
Muslim youth (between 45 and 50% of the Muslims) to EU youth is
between 16 and 20%. In other words, in a few years Muslims will
constitute 16 to 20% of the European workforce, and could therefore
influence policies and decision-making.
On average, the educational level and professional qualifications of
Muslim youth is lower than that of European youth, and the
unemployment rate among Muslims is higher than average. However, the
introduction of programs aimed at integrating Muslims into the
mainstream could improve this situation.
The percentage of Muslim laborers in Europe is in decline. This is
offset by a steady increase in the percentage of self-employed
academics and professionals in fields like medicine, engineering,
education, business and trade.
The influence of radicals is over-hyped by the media. During the past
few decades there has been a religious revival amongst European
Muslims. Their assimilation into Western society has thus slowed, and
the number of practicing Muslims has increased. This is reflected in
the increased observance of the hijab among women, and in the increase
in the number of mosques and prayer facilities. This has in turn
generated an increasing demand for Islamic education, which explains
the growing attendance at Islamic conferences and seminars, the
increased demand for Islamic literature, and the active involvement of
youth in Islamic activities and the media.
Existing Islamic organizations and centers are no longer able to cater
to the growing needs of the Muslim community; many cannot accommodate
the increasing number of worshippers, let alone actively participate
in providing Islamic education in a systematic manner or setting up
institutions to meet the cultural, social, recreational, and
professional-training needs of Muslims.
Allegations of the spread of religious extremism and terrorism amongst
Muslims are being hyped by the media, spurred on by political bias.
But even the strongest of these allegations, which are based on
intelligence reports -- few of which provide convincing evidence -- do
not go as far as claiming a widespread extremism amongst Muslims.
According to these reports, it is estimated that radical groups
account for less than 0.5% of the Muslim population.
The EU Expansion and Muslims
The latest EU expansion coincided with the increased focus on the
Muslim presence in Europe . One of the factors that contributed to the
acceleration of the expansion was the high rate of unemployment caused
by the recession and the impact of globalization. This was openly
discussed in the 1990s -- a period characterized by a dominant climate
of right-wing radicalism and rising complaints about the increasing
number of "foreigners," especially Muslims, in Western Europe .
Another factor was the call for taking a new direction towards seeking
manpower from Eastern Europe , instead of Muslim countries or the
South. This direction, in keeping with the policy of supporting the
economies of the former socialist countries, has been faced with new
challenges during the past few years, including the spread of
organized crime, linked to the opening of the borders with former
Eastern Bloc countries.
Allegations of the spread of religious extremism amongst Muslims are
being hyped by the media.
In contrast with the situation in the 1960s and 1970s, the European
Union is currently seeking qualified professionals to make up for
shortages in their workforce, and the new EU member states cannot fill
this gap because of their own economic needs and their efforts at
integration into the Union . Additionally, in the coming decades
Europe is projected to face a sharp decrease in its working-age
population and a large increase in the retiring-age population. The
current 3:1 ratio between the two demographics is expected to go down
to 2:1, if current birth and death rates hold. Studies show a
continuous decline in the European population, offset by an increase
in the non-European population, of which Muslims take the lead in
terms of numbers. Hence, without opening the doors to immigration it
is unlikely that European countries will be able to maintain strong
economies and provide social benefits for their senior citizens.
The increased awareness of Islam and Muslim issues among Western
Europeans, especially among the youth, has contributed to dispelling
negative stereotypes about Muslims. This, however, has not been the
case in Eastern Europe , due to the relative lack of advancement in
communication and information technology and the lack of direct
interaction with Muslims. And although the economies of the former
Eastern Bloc countries have shifted from communism to capitalism, many
communist views, including some which are antithetic to religion in
general and Islam in particular -- still persist in the minds of
eastern Europeans. The expansion of the European Union could therefore
have a negative impact on European Muslims, as the new member states
will probably support the views of the most radical elements that
existed within the EU before the expansion.
Future Objectives and Obstacles
The charting of any vision for the future should take into
consideration the reality on the ground. For example, for Spanish
Muslims, who have gone a long way towards establishing their presence
as an integral part of society and achieved tangible successes in
various sectors including education, legislation, and culture, the
March 11, 2004, terrorist attacks in Madrid could have undermined all
that had been achieved by the Muslims, due to the misdirected
political, security and media campaigns initiated in reaction to the
event.
The Madrid attacks were damaging not only to Muslims in Spain but to
the social and security situations in Spain and Europe at large.
Concerted efforts should be made by all parties to contain the damage
and avert future harm. This cannot be achieved by making accusations
or dictating terms and condition; it can only be achieved through
dialogue and understanding.
The envisioned goal for the future of the EU states is to achieve a
successful integration of Muslims, an integration that is balanced,
objective and well planned. A number of factors should be taken into
consideration, such as that the vast majority of decision makers
sectors are Europeans from a generation brought up in the 1970s; a
period that coincided with vicious campaigns against Islam and
Muslims. Additionally, according to opinion polls, despite the
negative image of Muslims propagated in the wake of the September 11
attacks, European youth are open and fair towards Muslims, and have a
better understanding of Islamic issues. Islamic organizations and
institutions are still divided on how to deal with these new realties.
While most of these organizations are on their way towards
integration, there are a few small and scattered organizations that
are influenced by the demagogic attitude of their leaders. Although
the latter organizations do not enjoy much support from mainstream
Muslims, they could have a negative impact on the entire Muslim
population, as their statements are used in the West to paint all
Muslims with the same brush.
The broad-based mainstream Muslim population, which includes doctors,
engineers, businessmen and students, has not yet fully succeeded in
strengthening their presence in society in a way that could help
Muslims realize their interests.
Considering the new realties of the EU, the main issues that the
Muslim population should focus on are:
Working towards putting the war against terrorism into perspective.
This war should be proportionate to the actual rate of the spread of
Muslim extremism, which is on a par with, if not less than the average
rates of extremism in Europe .
Promoting the idea of dealing with Muslims as an integral part of the
society through dialogue - not confrontation, which is not conducive
to integration.
Focusing on the education and professional training of Muslim youth.
Supporting youth activities aimed at raising Islamic awareness among
Muslim youth, without disconnecting them from mainstream youth.
Supporting efforts aimed at strengthening the role of Muslim women,
especially the younger generation, in society.
Critically reviewing the traditional role and operation of Muslim
institutions and developing them to cope with changing realities.
Encouraging prominent Muslim intellectuals, journalists, and other
professionals to develop a mechanism for constant interaction with
their non-Muslim peers.
Studying the most effective methods to enhance the role of Muslim
professionals in the academic, business and other fields � not to
isolate them from other professionals in their fields, but to
strengthen their presence to help chart a better future for Muslims in
Europe .
* Nabil Shebaib is a freelance writer and analyst based in Germany
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