Islam in Europe

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/11/13/world/international-uk-france-burqa-ban.html?_r=1&scp=8&sq=muslims%20in%20europe&st=cse

In this NY Times article, Reuters describes the current situation in France regarding the wearing of veils by Muslim women in public. The French parliament is considering a full-time ban of veils in public spaces. This is something that is supported by the President, Nicolas Sarkozy, but their are still many people that are against such a ban. These people include many people in parliament and also law professionals within the country. One law professor by the name of Denys de Bachillion says that putting this ban on veils would violate woman's rights because women should have the right to choose what they do or do not wear. Other professionals such as Andre Gerin believe that these veils are "walking coffins" and that it violates the woman's rights because the religion "makes" her wear such stuff. This debate ultimately leads to other issues regarding Islam in France such as immigration of Muslims into the country and also the national identity of the citizens of France.

The journal article by Tim Savage entitled "Europe and Islam: Crescents Waxing, Cultures Clashing" also talks about some of the cultural issues that European countries are facing when it comes to Islam just as France is dealing with the wearing of the veils in public spaces. Because of the type of stuff that is going on in countries around Europe, such as what was discussed above, many Muslims are starting to identify more with their religion. A large amount of discrimination exists against the Muslims in these countries and this forces them to turn to each other and their religion in order to keep going with life. Savage also talks about how many countries are trying to find their national identity and in order to do so are starting to crack down on some of the Muslim practices such as wearing veils which is what France is doing.

These two articles outline an interesting relationship between the European countries and the Muslim immigrants. The constant discrimination is something that I believe stems from mostly fear. Because more and more Muslims are moving into these European countries, the governments in these countries are trying to keep the national identity secure even though the people in the country are changing. Something that complicates this even more is the fact that Turkey wishes to join the EU which is looking to expand the European countries. Turkey is a country that is predominantly Muslim so this is something interesting to look at for the future.