Muslim Political Participation in Europe

Abstract

Analyses European Muslim communities' developing involvement in their political environment and related Muslim and public debates

Muslims are increasingly making themselves noticed in the political process of Europe. But what is happening behind the often sensational headlines? This book looks at the processes and realities of Muslim participation in local and national politics: voting patterns in local and national assemblies and the tensions between ethnic, political and religious identities. These developments drive internal Muslim debates including attitudes to the democratic processes and whether Muslims should take part at all, as well as rivalries over who should represent and speak for Muslims. They also inspire sharp European discussion about Muslim political participation - does it signal integration or separation? - and how the European states should view this increasingly active role of Muslims in the public space.

Key Features:

• *Includes 16 chapters presenting up-to-date research on European Muslim political participation

• *Analyses and compares local and national situations in western and central Europe

• *Focuses on issues such as Muslim women and youth

• *Covers Belgium, Catalonia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom

Keywords: Muslims, Islam, politics, Europe, ideologies, political parties