Multiculturalism, Integration, and the Challenges of Radicalization
The debate on migration to Europe in recent decades has often overlooked an important aspect: the religious affiliation of most immigrants from African and Asian regions. Their origins from countries such as Morocco, Pakistan, or Turkey were often mentioned, but less attention was paid to their religious background. However, the fact that a significant number of immigrants are of Islamic faith has raised questions about multireligiousness, as religion is an important part of personal and cultural identity for many of them. Along with the term Islam, the term “Islamism” also appears, but they should not be equated because the latter represents the instrumentalization of Islam for political purposes.
Many political commentators and politicians have tried to downplay the differences between Islam and other religions, and when they recognized challenges, they often sought solutions by supporting more moderate forms of Islam. However, attempts at reform within Islam have faced numerous challenges. According to Samir Khalil Samir, author of Islam in the West, Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the eternal and unchangeable word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. This belief can make it difficult to openly interpret and reinterpret the Qur’an’s texts in a modern context.
From Religious Practice to Extremism: The Dynamics of Radicalization in Europe
The Qur’an contains various verses, including those related to violence and peace. Some Muslims educated in traditional Islamic schools may sometimes overemphasize the violent aspects of these texts. This is important to consider when examining the radicalization of part of the Muslim community in Europe. Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi once noted that the history of Islam might have been different if the death penalty for apostasy had not been retained.
Samir Khalil Samir emphasizes that the radicalization of Islam may be linked to the activities of some imams who serve as spiritual leaders in prisons, hospitals, the military, and mosques. According to him, instead of helping Muslim believers integrate more easily into the host society, some imams sometimes hinder that process by highlighting differences with the culture and customs of the communities to which migrants have arrived.
The same author does not consider poverty the main cause of terrorism, as the countries from which most terrorists come are not among the poorest. The causes are of a different nature: “It is essentially about indoctrination, which begins in elementary school, as well as in mosques and religious press and other media. This theory, for those who want to listen, continuously repeats that the Christian West is a corrupt world, made up of infidels (kuffār); perverse individuals who shamelessly sleep with the first person they encounter and generally engage in the most despicable acts. This teaching constantly reiterates that God has commanded the elimination of infidels, homosexuals, prostitutes, and all others who spread corruption on Earth, and that He approves of offensive war if necessary to cleanse the land. Spreading Islam by all possible means is God’s will until Dar al-Harb (the House of War) or Dar al-Kufr (the House of Infidelity)—that is, all non-Muslim countries—become part of Dar al-Islam or Dar al-Salam (the House of Islam or the House of Peace). Medieval but contemporary legal writers explain that all those who belong to the House of War (or infidelity) have no right to protect their property or their lives. In other words, such people can be justifiably killed, and their property seized because they spread evil.”
Without understanding these aspects of Islam, it is impossible to grasp the radicalization of Muslims in Europe.
Criticism of Islam in Europe: Challenges to Freedom of Speech and Security
Migrants coming to Europe often seek their civil and human rights, with the loudest support coming from left-liberal political and media structures. However, in some communities with a Muslim majority, stricter rules based on Sharia law have been introduced, which can lead to the limitation of individual rights. Such examples exist in certain parts of European cities, where it is crucial to ensure a balance between respecting different cultural traditions and protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens.
Criticism of Islamism in Europe can be a sensitive issue, and individuals who engage in such discussions often face serious challenges. Unlike the freer criticisms of Christianity, which are more common in public discourse, some journalists, commentators, and politicians refrain from openly criticizing Islamism due to potential risks from radical extremists. In the Netherlands, critics have faced attacks, including deadly assaults on public figures. In Denmark, there was an assassination attempt on a journalist, while some critics are forced to live under constant protection in safe houses or military bases due to serious threats to their safety.
Academic Sylvain Gougenheim, a medieval expert, faced accusations of Islamophobia after publishing an essay in which he argued that texts from ancient Greece were preserved by Syrian Christians, not Arab Muslims, claiming that the latter did not know the Greek language. This critique sparked a debate in intellectual circles, and his work was seen as controversial despite being based on historical research. Accusations of Islamophobia illustrate the sensitivity surrounding academic discussions about the contributions of different cultures in the transmission of knowledge throughout history.
Most journalists and commentators in Europe have become aware of the sensitivity of certain topics: while Christianity can often be criticized without major consequences, criticism related to Islamism or mass migration can lead to serious risks, including physical threats and damage to reputation. Discussions on these topics are often subject to accusations of racism, religious intolerance, or xenophobia, making it even more difficult to engage in open dialogue in the public sphere.
The name of the Prophet Muhammad has become one of the most popular names in the world, with around 150 million people bearing the name. According to reports, besides Muslim countries, the name is also among the most popular in some parts of France and is very common in Spain and the United Kingdom. In Milan, it is the most common name among small business owners, and in Berlin, it is one of the most popular names for newborn boys.
The presence of Islam in Europe has become significant and cannot be ignored. Given demographic and immigration trends, Europe faces important challenges that require thoughtful management and adaptation. Secularization and the loss of traditional values in some parts of European society may further complicate addressing these changes. The process of integrating and adapting different cultures in Europe is a reality that is unfolding and requires the attention of all involved to ensure social stability and cohesion.