As a progressive myself, this is a question I have no good answer to, because while I definitely disagree with the beligerence the right has about the issue, I think there undeniably is an issue at hand. For a quick overview to make sure we are on the same page:
- The number of Muslims in Europe has risen significantly over the past years, according to multiple studies, such as this one.
- According to a study in France, 38% of Muslims agree that Islamic law is above the laws of the republic, a number which rose to 57% for those aged 15-24 (see page 25)
- According to a study in Germany, almost half of muslims believe that theocracy is the best form of government, while 18% stated that violence in the interests of Islam is justified, among similar beliefs (see page 160)
- According to a study in the UK, most Muslims find sharia law and the criminalization of gay marriage and abortion desirable, while younger Muslims are more likely to have a positive view of Hamas (see pages 7, 8, and 25)
Given all this, what do you think progressive/liberal European leaders should do?
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As a progressive myself, this is a question I have no good answer to, because while I definitely disagree with the beligerence the right has about the issue, I think there undeniably is an issue at hand. For a quick overview to make sure we are on the same page:
Given all this, what do you think progressive/liberal European leaders should do?
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Integration.
Borderline consensual singaporean levels integration. Promoting interfaith relationships and marriages in pop culture.
Mass deportation of those who don’t integrate.
> Given all this, what do you think progressive/liberal European leaders should do?
About what?
You have just listed off stuff that some Muslims in Europe believe. You haven’t actually identified a problem. Unless you are suggesting that merely thinking things is itself a problem
Sow discontent between them and the far right while advocating for integration and possibly try to appeal via shared belief in social welfare.
Firstly, thank you for posting sources and clear sign posts to where in the sources you’re taking your information from. That is very definitely appreciated.
So there’s a couple of points worth keeping in mind here.
>The number of Muslims in Europe has risen significantly over the past years
Many muslims are not violent fundamentalists.
> 38% of Muslims agree that Islamic law is above the laws of the republic, a number which rose to 57% for those aged 15-24
The phrase “agree that Islamic law is above the laws of the republic” is pretty meaningless. If thats what the question asked in the study then the stats produced from the answers are equally meaningless, the phrase is so open to interpretation by the listener. Above the laws of the republic could just as equally be taken to mean “I hold myself to a higher standard than French law requires wherever Islamic law is a higher threshold” as it could “I shouldn’t have to obey French law, only Islamic law”. It obviously means the latter to some folk, but not to others.
>18% stated that violence in the interests of Islam is justified
So 82% of Muslims think that violence in the name of their religion isn’t justified? Seems pretty good to me. I’d be very interested in knowing whether that number is trending up or down over the years. If its trending down thats concerning. If its trending up, thats good.
>almost half of muslims believe that theocracy is the best form of government
Many devoutly religious people would say the same, in reference to their personal religious beliefs.
Also “almost half” can be described as “a minority”.
> younger Muslims are more likely to have a positive view of Hamas
Younger people are more likely to have a positive view of Hamas. Its stupid, its bullshit, its concerning, but its true.
>most Muslims find…the criminalization of gay marriage and abortion desirable
Most strong believers of most religions hold the same views. Islam is different from Christianity in that if people self-describe as Muslim they are very likely to be devout believers, whereas people self-describe as Christian whilst having nothing resembling a Christian belief or lifestyle. If you took a poll of devout Christians (regular prayers, regular church attendance, involvement in church social life, actively living according to whatever their particular denominations lifestyle related rules are, etc) most would likely favour the criminalisation (or at least de-legalisation) of gay marriage and abortion. Same with devout Hindus, Jews, etc.
There are major differences between Europe and the countries in North and South America. I can complain about all kinds of examples of racism and xenophobia in the United States but it is very clear that the United States and basically every other country in the New World is far superior regarding these issues. We are simply better suited to integrating people.
If European nations want to integrate people into their societies, they have to change a lot about the way the native population feels about potential immigrants.
And they frankly have to choose better. Europe took in a bunch of refugees simply on the basis that they were fleeing their nations and not based on them being good candidates for integration into a modern secular liberal democracy. I’m sorry, but the average person from the Middle East or Africa coming to the United States is very different than the average person from those places going to Europe.