Jørgen S. Nielsen – författare

Muslims are making themselves noticed in the political process of Europe. But what is happening behind the sensational headlines? These 16 essays look at the processes and realities in 12 European areas: Belgium, Catalonia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the UK. They analyse and compare issues from voting patterns in local and national assemblies to the tensions between ethnic, political and religious identities. These developments drive internal Muslim debates including whether Muslims should take part in the democratic process at all, and rivalries over who should represent Muslims. They also inspire sharp discussion in Europe: how should European states view the increasingly active role of Muslims in the public space? Does it signal integration or separation?

Muslims are making themselves noticed in the political process of Europe. But what is happening behind the sensational headlines? These 16 essays look at the processes and realities in 12 European areas: Belgium, Catalonia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the UK. They analyse and compare issues from voting patterns in local and national assemblies to the tensions between ethnic, political and religious identities. These developments drive internal Muslim debates including whether Muslims should take part in the democratic process at all, and rivalries over who should represent Muslims. They also inspire sharp discussion in Europe: how should European states view the increasingly active role of Muslims in the public space? Does it signal integration or separation?

This volume exposes some of the various issues raised in relation to Muslim communities in Europe by putting the intellectual and legal traditions into dialogue. It brings together a number of scholars of Shari’a and Islamic law with counterparts from the parallel European disciplines of hermeneutics, philosophy and jurisprudence, to explore how the processes of theological-legal thinking have been expressed and are being expressed in a more or less common intellectual framework. It provides a valuable reference for all those interested in exploring how Muslims and non-Muslims view Shari’a law, looking at ways the European legal systems can provide some form of accommodation with Muslim customs.

This volume exposes some of the various issues raised in relation to Muslim communities in Europe by putting the intellectual and legal traditions into dialogue. It brings together a number of scholars of Shari’a and Islamic law with counterparts from the parallel European disciplines of hermeneutics, philosophy and jurisprudence, to explore how the processes of theological-legal thinking have been expressed and are being expressed in a more or less common intellectual framework. It provides a valuable reference for all those interested in exploring how Muslims and non-Muslims view Shari’a law, looking at ways the European legal systems can provide some form of accommodation with Muslim customs.

Examines the integration and reform of Islamic studies in universities across Germany, the UK, Turkey, Poland and BelgiumExplores the interaction between conventional university Islamic studies and the growing impact of confessional Islamic studies in European statesProvides accounts of recent developments in Islamic studies in Germany, the UK, Turkey, Poland and BelgiumShows the impact of European states' policies concerning integration and countering extremism upon the consolidation of Islamic studies programmesCritically reviews the concepts used to distinguish between confessional and nonconfessional approaches, and assesses their adequacy in light of recent changesAcross Europe there are numerous examples of recent linkages between universities and Islamic seminaries. In Germany the federal 'top-down' experiment, now over ten years old, of establishing departments of Islamic theology in five universities has now recruited over 2000 students, many of whom will end up teaching confessional Islam RE in schools. In the UK, local partnerships have been developed at under- and postgraduate level between e.g. Warwick, Birmingham and Middlesex universities and Islamic seminaries representing a range of Islamic traditions. Similar experiences are being developed on a smaller scale in other countries. These developments, which have taken place against a backdrop of state pressure to 'integrate' Islam and address 'radicalisation', challenge university traditions of 'scientific' approaches to the study of Islam as well as the confessional expectations of faith-based Islamic theological training. By looking more closely at the developing experience in Germany and Britain and selected other countries this volume explores how the two approaches are finding ways of creative cooperation.

Across Europe there are numerous examples of recent linkages between universities and Islamic seminaries. In Germany the federal 'top-down' experiment, now over ten years old, of establishing departments of Islamic theology in five universities has now recruited over 2000 students, many of whom will end up teaching confessional Islam RE in schools. In the UK, local partnerships have been developed at under- and postgraduate level between e.g. Warwick, Birmingham and Middlesex universities and Islamic seminaries representing a range of Islamic traditions. Similar experiences are being developed on a smaller scale in other countries. These developments, which have taken place against a backdrop of state pressure to 'integrate' Islam and address 'radicalisation', challenge university traditions of 'scientific' approaches to the study of Islam as well as the confessional expectations of faith-based Islamic theological training. By looking more closely at the developing experience in Germany and Britain and selected other countries this volume explores how the two approaches are finding ways of creative cooperation.

A useful introduction to the social, political, cultural and religious position of Muslims living in contemporary Europe. It describes the history of early European Muslims and outlines the causes and courses of twentieth-century Muslim immigration. Explaining how Muslim communities have developed in individual countries, the book examines their origins, their present day ethnic composition, distribution and organisational patterns, and the political, legal and cultural contexts in which they exist. It also provides a comparative consideration of issues common to Muslims in all Western European countries, namely the role of the family, and the questions of worship, education and religious thought.In the third edition all country-related chapters have been substantially updated. A new chapter has also been added on Southern Europe, where the maturity of a new generation has seen moves towards political integration. This new chapter will reflect the extensive research of the past decade in this area.Selling Points*Third edition of a best-selling text*The only comprehensive survey of Muslims in Western Europe*New edition completely updated in light of research of past decade.Note from the APF:In this fourth edition, all chapters have been substantially updated not least all country related chapters. The last ten years have seen some remarkable changes in the attitudes of politicians and of Muslim organizations, as well as experienced transformative events and crises.