Laïcité and Islam: Immigration and Radicalization in France
Abstract
Islamic extremism is one of the most pressing issues facing us today, and many are quick to lay the blame at the feet of Islam itself. But if Islam is a violent religion, why do we see large-scale peace throughout much of the Muslim world? This paper looks at France, which houses the largest Muslim population in Europe, to identify specific causes of extremism. What are the factors that lead some people to radicalize, but not others? What strains are these people experiencing that makes them feel that terrorism is their best method of initiating change? We look specifically at immigrants to France and the conditions under which they live. There are fundamental differences in the mentalities of native French people and Muslim immigrants--the role of religion is perhaps the most pertinent.If we can determine the causes of radicalization, we can begin to take steps toward a more peaceful tomorrow.
Session Name:
Graphic Internationalization: Reconstructing the Radical
Start Date
10-4-2015 1:15 PM
End Date
10-4-2015 2:15 PM
Location
HSB 211
Laïcité and Islam: Immigration and Radicalization in France
HSB 211
Islamic extremism is one of the most pressing issues facing us today, and many are quick to lay the blame at the feet of Islam itself. But if Islam is a violent religion, why do we see large-scale peace throughout much of the Muslim world? This paper looks at France, which houses the largest Muslim population in Europe, to identify specific causes of extremism. What are the factors that lead some people to radicalize, but not others? What strains are these people experiencing that makes them feel that terrorism is their best method of initiating change? We look specifically at immigrants to France and the conditions under which they live. There are fundamental differences in the mentalities of native French people and Muslim immigrants--the role of religion is perhaps the most pertinent.If we can determine the causes of radicalization, we can begin to take steps toward a more peaceful tomorrow.