"Europe" is not Muslim

Identity

What is identity?

In 1971, Canada declared itself a "multicultural nation".  That was the beginning of the end of our predominantly British identity, to be replaced with our "I don't know what we are" identity.  The powerful shift in Canadian thinking was from an identity that had defined boundaries which determined who was included and who was excluded from society, to having an identity where we first look at who actually makes up our society and then expanding our identity boundaries to include everyone in it.

Because this is a continual learning and readjustment process, we don't always get it right.

My theory, which I pursued a fair bit in my graduate studies, is that Europe never got to benefit from this shift in thinking.

If you look at the history of identity formation throughout Europe, you will usually find that each nation has traditionally defined itself by what it is not.  England is not France.  France is not Germany or Italy.  Italy is not Greece.  It is through this process of compare and contrast, that each nation defines its own characteristics.

I became curious as to how the growth of the European Union was affecting the identities of those who live there.  What I found during my last trip to France, especially amongst the young cosmopolitans, was a growing sense of a "European" identity.  Yes, they still identify with the nationality of their birth, but as many of them now live in other countries, they also identify as "European".  Like with all identities, the one considered more important shifts from moment to moment.

Why Islam?

Ultimately, my graduate paper focused on Muslim integration in Europe.  I've met many Muslims who have immigrated to Canada through Europe.  Universally, they are amazed at how much more welcome they feel here compared to their experiences in Europe.  Considering Europe has far longer traditions in intellectualism, progressive thought, and the development of "civilized" society, why is Islam such a stumbling block?

There are many reasons, and a number of brilliant theorists have tackled this question and have written great papers on it.  My two cents worth goes back to European identity.

When you come from a heritage where your identity is always defined by what you are not, what happens when your identity encompasses all of Europe?  I theorize that Europe sees itself as not Muslim.

"YOU WILL NEVER BE ONE OF US"

That is why Turkey has been given much higher standards to meet than many Eastern European countries before it will be considered for EU admission.  That is why many Muslims born in Europe are often denied the same rights as their ethnically indigenous counterparts.  That is why non-religious Europeans are suddenly re-identifying themselves and their nations as "culturally Christian".  And even when these attitudes are not expressed outwardly or systematically, they are still working away on the subconscious level.  I've talked to many Europeans who consider themselves multiculturally minded, but whose behaviours still marginalized Muslims.

The message Muslims living in Europe generally receive from society is, "We will tolerate your presence, because we consider ourselves tolerant.  BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE ONE OF US."

Based on the current process of identity formation, which is "I am defined by what I am not", admitting "Muslim" as "European" creates a veritable identity crisis.  What is the yard stick to measure ourselves by?  Who can we say we are not, that is not already a part of our European demography?  And that, in my opinion, is the source of all these tensions.  "Muslims are the Other, and to accept them threatens my identity."

Resistance to Change

To be fair, it can be terrifying for any human being to have their identity threatened.  Despite trying to adopt multicultural policies, Europe has not benefited from the Canadian experience of shifting our thinking on identity.  European national identity does not have the benefit of youth to make the process so easy.  In a sense, we've had it much easier.  I have compassion for European nations who are struggling really hard to come to terms with their current multicultural reality.  I can see why it's tempting to give up and lay blame instead.

But until the process of identity formation changes in Europe, "Muslim" will never be a part of "European" identity.  And Muslims are not going to go away.  They are a part of the global reality.  I fear that tensions and violence between the "Us" and the "Them" will continue to escalate for the foreseeable future.

Video

For a window on what it feels like to be a Muslim in Sweden, watch this 6 minute BBC documentary: "The Other (Side of Sweden)".

This article was written in response to a request by my friend Dave Howlett, RHB.