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Europeanisation and Secularisation of Immigrant Muslims in Western Europe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Ural Manço*
Affiliation:
Aksaray Üniversitesi, Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi, Sosyoloji Bölümü, Merkez Kampüs, Adana yoln 7, 68100 Aksaray, Turkey. E-mail: uralmanco@aksaray.edu.tr

Abstract

Every society produces its own concept of otherness. It is a universal fact, necessary for the social cohesion of the majority group. In recent decades, along with the development of a European consciousness and citizenship, the concept of ‘other’ relating to immigration is largely imposed on Muslims in Western Europe. There are historical reasons for this social enmity that trace their roots back to the Middle Ages and to nineteenth century colonialism. However, other contemporary reasons have reinforced these mind-sets; some of which are international events (e.g. the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Iranian revolution, the wars in Iraq and Syria, international terror of Islamic inspiration, and so on). These facts have – at least since 11 September 2001 – made the expression of Islamophobic opinions politically and morally more acceptable in Europe.

Type
Turkey and Europe: Cultural Aspects
Copyright
© Academia Europaea 2016 

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References

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