Is a European Islam Possible?

The European Court of Justice recently ruled that employers may forbid their employees to wear the Muslim hijab as long as they prohibit all other visible religious symbols. The decision was hailed by anti-Islam groups across Europe—such as the Alternative for Germany or the French National Front—despite its supposed neutrality. Is this a sign that Europe is backing away from full inclusion for its Muslim citizens?

An intense debate has emerged across Europe and the United States about the place of Islam in  Western democracies. In spite of the official secularism of these countries, the high profile of Islamic fundamentalism in the post-9/11 era inspired skepticism among some politicians and intellectuals that Islam could ever peacefully coexist with liberal democracy. Yet a recent report by the French think tank Institut Montaigne maintains suggests that, at least in France, these concerns are fueled by ignorance about Muslims themselves. Drawing on a survey of French Muslims, “A French Islam is Possible” argues that most hold values that can “seamlessly co-exist” with the public culture of France.

In the broader European context, anti-Islam groups have claimed that Islam is incompatible with European values. What do we know about Islam in Europe, and what does it tell us about the possibilities for a “European Islam”?

Join us on March 29th for a discussion with Hakim El Karoui, author of “A French Islam is Possible.” Hakim will be joined Emily Greble, a historian at CUNY currently working on a book on “Muslims on the Edge of Europe: The Making of a ‘European’ Islam in the Balkans.” Mohamad Bazzi will moderate the discussion.

Co-sponsored by the New York Transatlantic, Institut Montaigne and NYU Graduate Program in International Relations.