Muslim communities in the new Europe

Book Description

This comprehensive academic examination explores the diverse experiences of Muslim communities across a transformed European continent. Following the end of the Cold War, Europe emerged as a unified yet complex landscape where Islamic populations navigate vastly different historical and social contexts.

The book reveals a striking contrast between Eastern and Western European Muslim experiences. In the East, indigenous Muslim communities with centuries-deep roots maintain strong secular orientations, shaped by their unique historical journey. Meanwhile, Western Europe hosts predominantly immigrant Muslim populations who arrived after 1960, creating entirely different dynamics of integration and cultural adaptation.

Through sixteen scholarly essays, readers discover how geography, history, and political systems have shaped distinct Muslim experiences across the continent. The analysis uncovers fascinating demographic realities, including significant generational shifts in major European cities and the profound transformation of certain nations through immigration patterns.

Rather than treating Muslim communities as a monolithic group, this work illuminates the rich diversity of Islamic life in contemporary Europe. The book examines how different political systems, from formerly communist Eastern regions to established Western democracies, have influenced religious practice, community organization, and cultural expression.

For those seeking to understand the complex intersection of faith, identity, and belonging in modern Europe, this scholarly collection offers valuable insights into how spiritual communities adapt and thrive within diverse political and social frameworks.