Islam, l'épreuve française

Name: Islam, l'épreuve française
ISBN: 9782259220460

By Elisabeth Schemla

In this investigative exploration, journalist Elisabeth Schemla examines the complex intersection of Islamic practice and French secular society. Drawing from extensive field research, she traces what she presents as a gradual transformation of France's religious landscape, beginning with the 1989 Islamic headscarf controversy in French schools.

Schemla documents various religious and social phenomena across French cities from Lille to Marseille, analyzing how Islamic organizations have adapted their approaches to work within France's secular republican framework. She explores topics ranging from women's religious dress codes to mosque activities, educational influences, and the role of religious associations in addressing social needs where state services may fall short.

The author investigates the broader context of religious conversion and identity questions in contemporary France, examining how social challenges and cultural shifts create conditions for religious transformation. She also explores international influences on French religious life, including the role of Arab media outlets and foreign investment in French institutions and communities.

Through her field investigation, Schemla seeks to answer fundamental questions about responsibility, causation, and the current state of religious diversity in France. She examines whether protective measures can safeguard both Muslim and non-Muslim French citizens from what she characterizes as extremist ideological influences.

This 261-page work offers readers interested in religious sociology and contemporary European spiritual dynamics a detailed examination of how traditional secular societies navigate increasing religious pluralism.

What You'll Discover