With a large and steadily growing Muslim immigrant population in
Europe, many people are questioning whether there will be a smooth
transition for this community into European society.
Mario Scialoja, the former Ambassador of Italy to Saudi Arabia,
led a discussion on Thursday in Royce Hall on the contemporary
situation of Muslim immigrants in Europe. The event was sponsored
by the Center for Jewish Studies and was attended by UCLA faculty,
students and members of the Canadian, Romanian, French, Turkish and
Italian consulates.
Issues raised were the contemporary situation of Muslim
immigrants in Europe and the question of their ability to adapt
into European society.
These questions echo similar ones raised about the Jews hundreds
of years ago during the Enlightenment.
“Muslims are deemed by many as alien, uncultured and
oriental much as the Jews were hundreds of years ago,” said
David Myers, director of the Center for Jewish Studies.
Scialoja said Muslims are sometimes treated differently than
other Europeans.
“If an Italian man beats his wife, the police question
whether he was drunk or mentally imbalanced, but if a Muslim man
does, Islam is blamed,” said Scialoja, an Italian Muslim.
Scialoja, discussed the divided opinions of Europeans in the
face of new immigrants, 50 to 60 percent of which are Muslim.
“Some observers thought that the greater impact would be
on Islam rather than Europe. … They said (it) might push Islam in
a more moderate direction worldwide. Others (said) that xenophobia
and hostility might push Islam into a defensive position
exacerbating tensions between Islamic nations and the West,”
he said.
The problems surrounding the reception of Muslim immigrants in
Europe raise issues surrounding the reception of all immigrants
into western societies. It is not certain what would be more
suitable for Europe: assimilation, multiculturalism or an
intermediate model, Scialoja said.
“Just because you move to another country you don’t
have to give up your culture and traditions. Forcing conformity is
not the solution” said Faryal Humkar, a member of the Muslim
Student Association of UCLA.
“Islam says obey the rulers of your country but at the
same time we want to preserve our values,” said Amro Gaber,
also a member of MSA.
Despite all the issues raised, a prevalent issue seems to be
insuring a peaceful society in countries that are becoming
increasingly multi-ethnic and multi-religious.
“It is a complex matter that cannot be resolved overnight.
A discussion like this draws attention to the underlying issue of
the extent to which societies allow for religious diversity,”
said Carol Bakhos, assistant professor of Late Antique Judaism and
Jewish Studies.
“The integration of Muslims into European society will
take time ““ especially now after Sept. 11,” Scialoja
said. “We have to learn to accept foreigners and what is
alien to us and see it as an enrichment.”