Post #9-Muslims in Europe

By Rachel Brunts

1. How do Zemni and Parker (ch.13) explain the “failure of integration” of Muslims in Europe? Why is the way Europeans think about integration and multiculturalism problematic in the discourse surrounding Islam and Muslims in Europe? Explain and give examples.

Zemni and Parker explain that the “failure of integration” of Muslims in Europe lies in the ways in which Islam has been reconstructed in the European discussion as something of an anti-Europe. Sadly, from this point on, ideas of multiculturalism have been rejected and there has been a failure to adopt the styles and practices of daily life which have been considered in sync with the norms of the dominate national cultures.

As far as the problems, Europeans think integration and multiculturalism come from a history of the Islamic “movement.” The real problems that were associated with migrants were now being seen as a consequence of their socio-economic status during decades, and translating into “cultural differences”. The removal of migrant’s nationality, and an additional link to a civilizational and cultural phenomenon, it was easier to make the migrants’ presence a problem without seeming prejudiced.

Islam’s presence in Europe is limited to cultural terms and not in flow of migration, societal discrimination or class politics. This has allowed Islam to be seen as a cultural value that is the more determinant of political behavior. From this, an assumption occurs on migrants, that their cultural origins determine their incapability to meet and respect, the demands and responsibilities in the “secular” European state.

The examples become that the conversation influences, the way European public and policymakers view and interact with Europe’s Muslim communities, and have real consequences for the Muslims as individuals.

The consequences affect how Muslim immigrants/migrants perceive the possibility and desirability of wider civil participation and how this can actually legitimize certain discriminatory practices that put migrants in socially defensive positions.

• What is your assessment of the Foreign Policy The Dispossessed article and the film My Escape? Does the comic do justice to the refugee situation? Is it a good analysis of the crisis? Does Islam play a role? Even if you only watched a part of the film My Escape what is your assessment of the film? What caught your attention?

From the film My Escape, what really caught my eye was how bold many of the participants were throughout the film. They had many doubts, fears, and anxieties but were never once hesitant to film the injustices among them and the experience, for the world to see. Another thing that stayed in my mind was hearing one of the girls laugh. It was a very quick moment but she laughed at something funny even in her predicament and tough situation.

Moreover, another moment within the film, that caught me off guard was that those who were helping the refugees get across the border behaved more as kidnapers than people of assistance. I had no idea how life threatening this experience would really be and was definitely shocked

I do indeed think the comic does justice to the refugee situation because it details the journey in more terms than just going from point A to point B. There was the talk of price, maps, realities and a clear itinerary that allowed us to really understand the depths that had to be gone thru in order for refugees to make this journey.

I felt most connected to the comic because the visuals are so much more relatable than words on a page. Drawn facial expressions, gloomy colors and cries out to God really put more emotion into the tension of the situations rather than just describing it. Also, I felt more connected to the situation be truly being able to grasp and more easily understand.

The film and the article both really gave viewers an inside into the chaos that the war summoned into many lives. Not only that, but it also allowed us to get an idea of what life once was prior to the war and how Syrians appreciated their home.