Muslims in Greater Europe

French Muslim girls protest for their rights

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?

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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:

1. 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 .

2. Promoting the idea of dealing with Muslims as an integral part of the society through dialogue - not confrontation, which is not conducive to integration.

3. Focusing on the education and professional training of Muslim youth.

4. Supporting youth activities aimed at raising Islamic awareness among Muslim youth, without disconnecting them from mainstream youth.

5. Supporting efforts aimed at strengthening the role of Muslim women, especially the younger generation, in society.

6. Critically reviewing the traditional role and operation of Muslim institutions and developing them to cope with changing realities.

7. 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