The Roots of Public Attitudes Toward State Accommodation of European Muslims' Religious Practices Before and After September 11

Abstract

More than nine million Muslims currently live in Western Europe, which makes them the largest religious minority in the region. There has been significant political controversy in various European states over how best to recognize Muslims' religious rights. These questions have become even more significant and contentious in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks by Islamic extremists. Using privately commissioned polls on attitudes toward Muslim religious rights taken before and after September 11 in Britain, France, and Germany, this article determines the extent of popular opposition to state accommodation of Muslim practices and tests several leading theories of attitudes toward Muslims. We conclude that the most important determinants of attitudes toward Muslims are education and religious practice.May I suggest that the last thing our society needs at this moment is more schools segregated by religion? Before 11 September, it looked like a bad idea; it now looks like a mad idea.Tony Wright (House of Commons 2001) My country, France, my fatherland, is once again being invaded, with the blessing of our successive governments, by an excessive influx of foreigners, notably Muslims, to which we are giving our allegiance. . . . From year to year we see mosques sprouting up pretty much everywhere in France, while church bells are becoming silent because of a lack of priests. French actress and animal-rights advocate Brigitte Bardot (Agence France Presse 1996)

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