De muslimska invandrarna – en brygga mellan två kulturer?

Abstract

There are already between 15-20 million Muslims in the European Union and their numbers will still increase due to a continuing migration. Estimates speak about 60 million in 25 years. The European Union is therefore no longer conceivable without an «Islamic green» component. — There are several questions we need to face. To what extent should European countries be opened up to non-European immigration, including the reception of refugees? What religious, cultural and linguistic elements in the identity of immigrants are to be furthered, tolerated or resisted? Multiculturalism has become a prestigious concept, but it has a broad spectrum of meanings. — A policy designed to facilitate the integration of Muslim immigrant groups must be based on the following facts. — Firstly. There are already large Muslim communities in most West-European states. These communities will not only expand but they will also demand greater political influence as increasing numbers of Muslims become naturalized citizens and become enfranchised in their new home countries. — Secondly. Muslims are not as easy to integrate and not as willing to be integrated as previous immigrant groups. In Europe, Muslims must learn to live as a minority and to accept the fundamental pillars of modern European societies, that is to say pluralism and a secular social system characterized by tolerance of people with a different political or religious viewpoint. — A future Europe with a flourishing Muslim presence and an open European identity must be based on self-critisism, a permanent and open dialogue and a respect for diversity. Europeans must realise that Muslims can make a positive contribution in the construction of a new Europe. Their presence should be seen as a source of enrichment and not as a problem. — The Muslim immigrants on their part should see themselves as full citizens and participate in the social, economic, organisational and political life of the countries where they live. A "domestic" leadership will have to emerge, thus permitting the elimination of the label attached to Islam as an alien and dangerous cult. This domestic leadership will not only consist of Muslims born in Europe, but also of native converts. — We are already today witnessing the emergence and creation of a several European Muslim identities, German, French, British, Swedish, Dutch, etc. For this new generation Euroislam is not a zero sum game. They see no contradiction in being Muslim and European at the same time. A Euroislam could be a bridge between two cultures. This would enable a fruitful triangular relationship to develop between the Islamic communities, their native countries and their new home countries. Thus Muslims in the West could help to answer a question that has haunted Islam for the past centuries. How to reconcile tradition and modernity? If this were to happen Europeans would pay back an old debt to the Muslim world.