The Sunday Magazine

"I am Ahmed": Muslim assimilation in Europe

In the wake of the vicious terrorist attacks in Paris, the question of the Muslim presence in France and indeed, in all of Europe, has been thrown into sharp relief. Of 500 million people in the European Union, there are 20 million Muslims....
A French citizen holds up a placard that reads, "I am Ahmed", for Ahmed Merabet, a Muslim policeman killed by the gunmen in the attack on the Charlie Hebdo newspaper. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
In the wake of the vicious terrorist attacks in Paris, the question of the Muslim presence in France and indeed, in all of Europe, has been thrown into sharp relief. Of 500 million people in the European Union, there are 20 million Muslims.

Many consider themselves fully integrated; others are disaffected, even alienated, from mainstream society. Cultural differences, discrimination and unemployment can create fertile ground for the recruitment of young jihadis. And terrorist attacks can create a backlash that contributes to greater discrimination.

Michael talks to guests from four European capitals:

Elham Manea, Associate Professor in the Institute for Political Science at the University of Zurich

Rosemary Hollis, Professor of Middle East Policy Studies and Director of the Olive Tree Programme at City University in London

Dominique Moisi, author, writer, Professor at the Paris Institute of Political Science and senior advisor to the French Institute of International Relations.
   
Schirin Amir-Moazami, Professor in the Institute of Islamic Studies, Free University of Berlin