Islamic Challenge

The voices in this book belong to legislators, local officials, doctors and engineers, educators and intellectuals, lawyers and social workers, owners of small businesses, translators, and community activists. They are also all Muslims, who have decided to become engaged in political and civic organizations. And for that reason, they constantly have to explain themselves, mostly in order to say who they are not. They are not fundamentalists, not terrorists, and most do not support the introduction of Islamic religious law in Europe - especially not its application to Christians. This book is about who these people are, and what they want. This book is based on three hundred interviews with European Muslim leaders from six European countries: Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Great Britain, France, and Germany. The question of Islam in Europe is not a matter of global war and peace but raises difficult questions about the positions of Christianity and Islam in public life, and about European identities. There is not one Muslim position on how Islam should develop in Europe but many views, and most Muslims are rather looking for ways to build institutions that will allow European Muslims to practice their religion in a way that is compatible with social integration.

Review: All in all, this is an extremely interesting book, not least because it tackles some of the most important issues currently facing European Muslims. If you want to know what European Muslims have to say about religion, politics, identity, social integration, multiculturalism and foreign policy, then I recommend you read this book. * The Muslim News *

refreshingly down to earth book...this valuable book may also force Europeans to question the self-image of their continent as an essentially secular place. * The Economist *

... what makes this thoughtful and honest volume so useful is its refusal to simplify an extraordinarily complex picture ... By destroying bogeymen, Klausen forces us to rationally and compassionately sensitive issues of great importance to Europe's future. * Foreign Affairs, Vol 85 No 2 *

The Islamic Challenge: Politics and Religion in Western Europe is a timely contributions to the 'Muslims in the West' literature, which poses questions that have not been addressed before... Overall, The Islamic Challenge's cross-national study contributes important insights. * Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies *

Klausen's survey presents a useful counterpoint to the now-hackneyed image of disaffected Muslim youth. * World Policy Journal *