In an article published by the Brookings Institute titled "Islam, Jihadism, and Depoliticzation in France and Germany", author Anouar Boukhars argues that growing Islamic extremism in Germany and France is caused by the depoliticization of Muslims and the failure of political Islam to organize.
The idea of a “Muslim siege,” stemming from the belief that all Muslims are challenging European’s assimilation policies, is driven primarily by islamaphobia, fear, and populism. Boukhars concludes by arguing that the absolute assimilation of Muslims in France and Germany must stop, and integration with political representation must be promoted.
Author Boukhars explains French anxiety over Muslim culture. He reminds the reader that this anxiety is “not a new phenomenon’ (Boukhars, 298). Instead, this anxiety has at least existed since the 1995 bombings of the Paris metro, and was only furthered with the 9/11 attacks and the terrorist attacks on Madrid and England’s pubic transit (Boukhars, 299). This anxiety has created xenophobia, and Muslim communities are stereotypically seen (by European citizens) as communalistic and anti-government. This is termed as “symbolic ghettoization” and Boukhars says the French see Muslim youth as “scum that must be simply rubbed out” (Boukhars, 299).
This mindset grows from events like the 2005 riots in Paris. Boukhars points out the riots were indeed comprised of Muslims, but instead of chanting scripture or other familiar jihad intifada they chanted “liberte, egalite, fraternite” (Boukhars, 299). France’s biggest political Muslim group, the Union of Islamic Organizations of France (UOIF), is not doing its job of uniting Muslims across France politically. Instead, youth see the UOIF’s image as polluted, since it has constructed deals with the Ministry of the Interior, and failed to loudly voice critical opinions on important Muslim issues (Boukhars, 300).
Anger with already established Islamist groups, Boukhars argues, is evidence of political frustration with the usual mouthpieces.
Boukhars identifies three different salafi groups in France, their stances on French integration, and their attractiveness to Muslims in France. The Salafist (generally a Sunni Muslim) puts emphasis on the piousness of ancestors and follows the Quran in both “action and deed…” (Boukahrs, 300). The three types of salafism in France are broken down into predicative, political, and jihadist.
Predicative salafism is a return to political Islam, a rebirth, and is a-political. Predicative salafism seeks a transnational (global) Muslim identity, founded in individualization. This is the biggest of the three Muslim groups in France, and is non-violent and leadership-less.
Article comments
1 - Alan Kurtz
Ryan, thanks for this article, which is timely in view of news that German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking in Potsdam today, declared that Germany's attempts to build a multicultural society have "utterly failed." In so reporting, the BBC notes: "A recent survey showed that more than 30% of Germans believed Germany was 'overrun by foreigners.'"
You write, "Diversity must be the point for unity in a community, not conflict."
With respect, this seems self-contradictory. Diversity is the antithesis of unity. Isn't that just human nature? The more diverse a group, the less unified it is. Why? Because resources are typically scarce, and people value their own particular interests above those of the group. Diversity, then, is a prescription for conflict, not its solution.
I see this as a positive. Unified groups (e.g., Nazi Germany) are dangerous. Diverse groups (e.g., the GIs we sent overseas to fight the Wehrmacht) are surprisingly effective in working together to achieve a common goal without sacrificing their individual identity.
You may desire more unity among Islamists in Western Europe, but most French and German natives would likely disagree. To them, Islamists are bad enough in their present splintered condition.
2 - Ruvy
Ryan,
You made a detailed analysis of the Wahhabi (those lovely "human beings" who call themselves "Salafi") who want to bring death and destruction to European culture.
If the Wahhabi destroy European culture, and the Europeans want to roll over and play dead, I have no problem with that. I live in Israel, not Europe. In the end, persecution of Europeans by Wahhabi - gang rapes, destruction of freedom, murders and assassinations, and eventually massacres - are a fitting vengeance for their treatment of Jews for a good 17 centuries. Let the Arabs do it, and let them get their hands bloody, while we sit in Israel and watch, and encourage our co-religionists to get out of the way, preferably coming home. If THEY haven't got the brains to get the hell out of Europe, then you only have clear proof that Ashkenazi Jews are terribly stupid.
The Europeans made a deal with the devil - and now the devil is claiming his due. It's nice to see. Please excuse me for a moment while I spray the air freshener to rid the place of the stink of sulfur, will you?
Cheers!
3 - Arch Conservative
It seems there is presntly more then one "muslim identity."
There are several.
The first is the group of whackjobs who think that Allah whispered in the ear and told them to rule the earth in his name by any means necessary.
The second is the so called "moderate muslim" group comprised of those who do not subscribe to the worldview of the first but don't exactly do anything to condemn it. The lack of condemnation usually stems from fear of retaliation from the first group or some degree of sympathy with it.
The third and by far the smallest is those who openly and publicly condemn the first.
Ruvy is right though. Europe is rolling over for the first group. When Theo Van Gogh is murdered because he makes a film that accurately portrays muslim culture in a not so positive light, it's not because muslims don't have a political voice. It's because there's a group of dedicated whackjobs willing to do such things under the banner of Islam.
It may at times be difficult to distinguish members of the first and second group because members of the first frequently seek to disguise themselves as members of the second. However as the first group has proven that they cannot be reasoned with and has absolutely nothing to offer humanity, they should all be shot where they stand on their feet. Wiped off the face of the earth once and for all. I look forward to the day when Europe wakes up, remembers they once had a set of balls when the Nazi's were knocking on the door of eternity and acts like they have a set once again.
4 - Baronius
It seems like both Boukhars and this analysis of his writing follow a very European way of thinking. Representation is good; assimilation is bad. Behind this thinking is the idea that only a member of a group can represent that group's interests. I could be misreading this analysis, but what's wrong with assimilation?
5 - zingzing
archie:"The third and by far the smallest is those who openly and publicly condemn the first."
because when they do, you shout them down. it's a wonderful world, isn't it?
"However as the first group has proven that they cannot be reasoned with and has absolutely nothing to offer humanity, they should all be shot where they stand on their feet. Wiped off the face of the earth once and for all. I look forward to the day when Europe wakes up,"
and realizes it's become the nazis again.
you really are blind.
6 - MR BG 1
What happened to the old addage "When in Rome do as the Romans do". The garb they wear is good for the desert heat but when you are in the dead of winter in Germany, Get a friggin coat. I don't have a problem with these people one on one, but they are like dogs, when they get in a pack and think that everyone is against them. geeez. If you want to be treated like Germans or Frenchmen, quit acting and looking like terrorist I'm just saying!!!!!!!