Select a language
In Europe, a wave of religious based mayhem was anticipated following the bomb attacks in Madrid and London. “A few years on, such fears look misplaced,” write Jason Burke and Ian Traynor in the Observer. A newpoll by Gallup shows that the radicalisation of the EU's 20 million Muslims has not taken place. Asked if violent attacks on civilians could be justified, 82% of French Muslims and 91% of German Muslims said no. Such figures are backed up Europe's counter-terror strategists who report that the tide of radicalisation of young Muslim men is ebbing.
Burke and Traynor examine the meaning of integration. “The Gallup poll found European Muslim immigrants tend to stress social and economic questions - housing, jobs, access to education - as markers of integration, whereas so-called "host communities" tend to stress morals and customs”.
Polls also find that Muslim communities are influenced by their countries of residence. In France, where 45% of people said in a survey that adultery is morally acceptable, so did a high proportion of Muslims. This is a trend that deepens with succeeding generations. In terms of opinions and behaviour, second-generation Dutch migrants “are much more orientated towards Dutch society than their parents.”
Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!
It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.
Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!
