The Impact of Islam in europe: The French case

The thesis provides a focus on the process of change which emerged as a result ofthe permanent settlement of Muslim migrants in the 1970s in Europe. France ischosen as a model country. The existence of Muslims gave rise to a radical change,or at least started new discussion topics about consepts and issues such ascitizenship, identity, minorities, rights and freedoms, laicism, xenophobia, culturalracism, discourse of political parties, multiculturalism, integration and assimilation inEuropean countries. Apart from showing this process of change, the thesis also aimsto stress the resistant and conservative French attitute towards change. It tries tofigure out the reaction of the Muslims in this process as well. Because the Muslimshave become an inseperable part of Europe, it is impossible for European states tocontinue with the current problems. European Islam, amendment of the French Lawon the seperation of church and state which dates back to 1905, a more liberalapproach towards cultural change are among suggestions. Although there isresistance and conservatism towards change among European countries, the thesisargues that there is a process of change which has already begun. Taking their newMuslim citizens into consideration, the European governments are makingrearrangements or at least are in the phase of planning. Some of the positive stepsare rearrangements in education, worship, mosques, and representation of theMuslim comunity in a political context. However, resulting from the security concerns,there are also negative developments such as a tendency from integration toassimilation and from multiculturalism to single culturalism. The conclusion of thethesis is, although it is going to be a hard and long period, in the end the Europeansocieties will accept the existence of Islam and the Muslims.Key Words1. Islam2. France3. Laicism4. Integration5. Multiculturalism