New Book on Muslims in Europe

The Open Society Institute announces the publication of a major new report on the level and nature of integration of Muslims in 11 cities across Western Europe.

Muslims in Europe is a comparative analysis of research undertaken by the At Home in Europe Project, a recently established initiative of the Open Society Institute. The project works to advance and promote sustainable social inclusion of minority and marginalised groups in Western Europe. Through its research and engagement with policymakers and communities, the At Home in Europe project is studying issues which
explore the political, social, and economic participation of Muslims and other marginalized groups at the local level.

Muslims in Europe points out common trends and offers recommendations aimed at local, national and European level policy makers. While not representative of the situation of all Muslims in these cities, the report captures a snapshot of the specific and common experiences of Muslim communities in select neighborhoods in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Berlin, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Leicester, London, Marseille, Paris,
Rotterdam and Stockholm.

Monitoring and Advocacy : Responding to Contemporary Urban Challenges

Whether citizens or migrants, native born or newly-arrived, Muslims are a growing and varied population that presents Europe with one of its greatest challenges, namely how to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all in a climate of rapidly expanding diversity.

Based on existing academic and policy literature, face to face in-depth interviews with Muslim and non-Muslim residents in the 11 comparable cities, focus groups and a number of expert interviews in each city, the report documents daily experiences of residents and their interaction with their city, neighbours, local government and others – it outlines how some cities engage with and consult its Muslim and minority residents.

Muslims in Europe forms part of a 12 reports series on Muslims in EU Cities. Individual city reports will be published from April 2010 and include recommendations to local and national policymakers, civil society and communities.

The findings from Muslims in Europe include the following:

· The OSI research challenges the myth of segregation and alienation and
reveals a much more positive picture of integration at the local
level.

· Among Muslims surveyed in the 11 cities, 61% have a strong sense of belonging to the country and 72% a strong sense of belonging to the city

· The needs and experiences of Muslims and non-Muslims are largely the same. Across all 11 cities surveyed, daily concerns centre around the need for better quality of education, improved housing, cleaner streets, and tackling antisocial behaviour and crime

· Over 70 per cent of all eligible Muslims surveyed in the 11 cities voted in local and national elections

· 50% of all Muslim respondents who identify themselves with the country where they live believe that they are not seen as belonging to that country by wider society

· 50% of Muslim respondents compared to 9% of non-Muslims reported experiencing religious discrimination at some point over the last 12 months

Some of the recommendations include:

· EU statistical agencies and projects should collect accurate data on minorities to support evidence-based policies to facilitate integration and combat discrimination

· Local policy makers should develop municipal campaigns that emphasise a common and inclusive city identity as an effective way to increase cohesion and belonging. Amsterdam, Antwerp and Copenhagen are three cities which have initiated such campaigns with success

· City officials must strive to maintain neighbourhoods that are ethnically and religiously mixed, and ensure that discrimination is not a barrier for Muslims and other minorities when choosing where to live

To receive a copy of the report, please write to Csilla Toth cstoth@osi.hu

For further information about the At Home in Europe Project and upcoming city reports and advocacy projects, please visit
www.soros.org/initiatives/home or contact Csilla Toth cstoth@osi.hu