Western Europe and its Islam: The Social Reaction to the Institutionalization of a ‘New’ Religion in the Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom
by Jan Rath, Rinus Penninx, Kees Groenendijk and Astrid Meyer
International Comparative Studies Series, 2
Leiden/Boston/Tokyo: Brill, 2001
Hardback, xii, 308 pp.
isbn 9781859734230
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Summary
Immigration from North Africa, Asia and elsewhere meant a large influx of Islam into Western Europe. In each country, Muslims organized in various ways and established numerous institutions such as mosques, cemeteries, halâl butchers, schools, broadcasting organizations, and political parties, and slowly but surely the outlines of Muslim communities begun to emerge. The development of those communities is not a matter of Muslims only, but the product of their interaction with the wider environment. The development of the process of institutionalization is the result of their consultations and conflicts with parties involved, particularly with agents from the host society. As Muslim immigrants become ever more a part of Western European societies, the establishment of their institutions both illustrates and affects the processes of sociological, political and legal change that are currently taking place. This book, based on interdisciplinary research, examines the establishment of Muslim institutions in Western Europe, and particularly focuses on the role played by agents from the host society and the political and ideological positions adopted by them in reaction to claims from Muslims.
The book is of interest to both scholars of cultural anthropology, political science, the sociology of law, the sociology of migration, the sociology of social movements, ethnic studies, religious studies, and urban studies, as well as to practitioners such as politicians, civil servants and ethnic and religious leaders in the field.
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 Western Europe and Islam
Introduction
The reaction of society: a framework for analysis
Method and structure of research
Part 1
The Netherlands: the institutionalization and recognition of Islam at national level
Chapter 2 Government, society and Islam: a brief history
A hidden existence
Breakthrough: de facto recognition and co-operation
Political debate
Chapter 3 The sphere of religion
Places of worship
Other religious institutions
Chapter 4 The sphere of education
Islamic religious instruction
Muslim schools
Other educational institutions
Chapter 5 Politics and other spheres
The political sphere
Other spheres of activity
Chapter 6 Conclusions national level
Range and density
Factors and agents
Ideological concepts
Part 2
The institutionalization of Islam and the struggle for recognition at local level
Introduction
Chapter 7 Recognition as partners in the political debate
Rotterdam
Utrecht
Ideological concepts and arguments
Chapter 8 The establishment and funding of places of worship
Rotterdam
Utrecht
Ideological concepts and arguments
Chapter 9 Islamic religious instruction in state primary schools
Rotterdam
Utrecht
Ideological concepts and arguments
Chapter 10 The establishment of Muslim schools
Rotterdam
Utrecht
Chapter 11 Conclusions local level
Range and density
Factors and agents
Ideological concepts and arguments
The difference between Rotterdam and Utrecht
Part 3 An international comparison
Introduction
Chapter 12 Belgium
A historical outline
Recognition of Islam and of Muslims as partners in the political debate
Places of worship
Islamic religious instruction
The Muslim school
Chapter 13 The United Kingdom
A historical outline
Recognition of Islam and of Muslims as partners in the political debate
Places of worship
Education
Islamic religious instruction
Muslim schools in England
Chapter 14 Conclusions international level
Range and density
Factors and agents
Chapter 15 Conclusions
The Netherlands: the emergence of Muslim institutions in a depillarizing society
The range and density of Muslim institutions in the Netherlands
Factors and agents
Ideological concepts and arguments
International perspective: Belgium and Great Britain
Conclusion
Notes
List of abbreviations political parties
References