Search Results (83)

This article examines Muslim responses to two blasphemy controversies that provoked widespread public backlash in Türkiye in 2022 and 2024. Drawing on news coverage from three leading conservative newspapers (Sabah, Yeni Şafak, and Yeni Akit) and user commentary on X, the analysis explores how these reactions complicate the conventional religious–secular binary often applied to blasphemy disputes. The findings show that while piety and devotion to the Prophet Muhammad were central, responses also heavily employed the language of possession, identity, dignity, collective honor, and experiences of discrimination and exclusion. These dynamics demonstrate that Muslim reactions are not confined to religious experience, which may appear inaccessible to secular reasoning, but also draw on secular reflections that can be articulated within European human rights frameworks and resonate in broader public discourse. Given their deep attachment to faith, some Muslims may perceive such expressions as attacks on their religious feelings, identity, dignity, and security. At the same time, some may seek political advantage by demanding heightened deference to religious sensibilities or attempting to suppress critical opinions. Claims of religious injury in blasphemy disputes may therefore operate either as defenses of self and faith or assertions of identity and strategies of political contestation. The article concludes by highlighting the complex task of balancing the protection of believers with the safeguarding of freedom of expression. Full article

Cultured meat holds the potential to reduce environmental impacts and offer ethical advantages while replicating the nutritional, taste, and texture attributes of conventional meat. To date, most research on consumer acceptance of meat has focused on European and North American markets. In contrast, Muslim-majority countries remain underexplored, particularly regarding the compatibility of cultured meat with Islamic dietary laws. These societies are experiencing rising meat consumption, and countries such as Saudi Arabia and Malaysia rely heavily on meat imports. This narrative perspective article aims to systematically examine how specific stages of cultured meat production align with, or challenge, Islamic dietary (halal) principles. To this end, we adopt a stage-based analytical approach, mapping key technological steps in cultured meat production onto core requirements of Islamic jurisprudence. To this end, we critically and comprehensively examine the intersection between cultured meat production methods and the Islamic concept of halal, which extends beyond ingredient permissibility to encompass ethical, spiritual, and hygienic dimensions of food production. Key challenges to halal certification include the origin and status of starter cells, whether donor animals were slaughtered according to Islamic law, the permissibility of biopsied tissue, and the use of fetal bovine serum in growth media. The analysis indicates that while halal-compliant cultured meat is scientifically feasible, its adoption remains constrained by unresolved religious interpretations, regulatory fragmentation, and limited availability of halal-certified inputs. We emphasize the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among Islamic scholars, food scientists, certification bodies, and policymakers. From a policy perspective, harmonized halal standards, targeted investment in serum-free and animal-free culture media, and early regulatory engagement with Islamic authorities are essential to facilitate responsible market entry. Therefore, we suggest a multi-level governance and stage-gated halal decision framework for cultured meat. Proactive regulation and open dialogue with religious leaders are vital to ethically introduce cultured meat into Muslim markets, aligning innovation with Islamic values while supporting national sustainability and food security goals. Full article

The Belgian constitution establishes that communities shall dispense neutral teaching that also respects both religious convictions and non-denominational philosophical choices. The application of this article has led to several conflicts with the religiosity of parents and students, among which one stands out eminently: the prohibition of the Islamic headscarf in schools in Flanders and Wallonia. It is precisely in the first of these communities, Flanders, where the collisions between the principle of neutrality and the religious freedom of Muslim women who intend to continue wearing this religious symbol continue to be reproduced, not only for reasons of religiosity, but also of identity. Signally, one of the main problems lies in the difficulties in delimiting the extension of the concept of neutrality as a limit to religious freedom, a task in which there does not seem to be agreement, neither among the main agents of the education system nor even among the courts of justice of the community. The best proof of this are the last two developments in the matter, the European Court of Human Right judgment in the Mykias case and the unsuccessful attempt to ban the Islamic veil in the province of Flanders. Full article

This study examines the behavioral intention of Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina to adopt blockchain-based zakat systems. It offers novel insights from a European Islamic context. Prior studies have primarily focused on Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The research develops an SEM model on an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology framework. Data were collected through a survey of Bosnian Muslims. The aim was to investigate how these factors influence the acceptance of digital zakat platforms. The findings highlight the potential of blockchain to address inefficiencies and trust issues in traditional zakat management. The study shows that performance expectancy, intrinsic religiosity, and trust are significant determinants of adopting blockchain-based zakat platforms. These results emphasize both technological and faith-based drivers of acceptance. Technology can enhance the trustworthiness and inclusivity of zakat administration for a broader group of Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina and similar contexts. This work contributes to broader international discussions on the intersection of technology, religion and finance. The article is laying a foundation for the future development of blockchain-based zakat platforms in Muslim societies. Full article

Entitled Constructing the ‘European Muslim Crisis’: Discourse, Policy, and Everyday Realities, this Special Issue was born from a critical imperative: to move beyond the taken-for-granted assumption of a ‘Muslim crisis’ in Europe and to instead interrogate the very assembly of this narrative [...] Full article

Five centuries ago, the Gibraltar Strait was emerging as the border zone between the core and the periphery of the modern/colonial world-system—a liminal position it continues to occupy today. During this period, Muslims on the southern shore of the Strait resisted the Portuguese and Spanish imperialism which was supported by several other Western European powers as well as the Catholic Papacy. This paper examines the life of Sayyida al-Ḥurra (c. 1491–c. 1552), who played an active role in this resistance, as Governor of the city-state of Tétouan and eventually Queen of Morocco. It summarizes years of transdisciplinary research about her life, which draws upon historical sources and popular narratives, as well as fieldwork in Northern Morocco and Southern Spain. The main finding of this research is that Sayyida al-Ḥurra is an early modern Muslim decolonial exemplar who remains significant today. She embodied an alternate way of being a ruler, a warrior, a woman, and a Muslim. Remembering her life can inspire contemporary decolonial thought, since the very fact of her existence unsettles modern colonial formations of race, ethnicity, governance, war, gender, and religion. Full article

This article examines tropes of (proto)colonialism in medieval European culture and Raymonda (Раймoнда), a ballet that premiered in St. Petersburg in 1898 and is set during the Fifth Crusade (1217–1221). Juxtaposing premodern travel accounts with a postmedieval dance creation, this study illuminates how religious otherness, imperial ambitions, and feminine resistance frame representations of dance spectacle and spectatorship. Following a synopsis of the ballet, the subsequent section considers Raymonda’s Muslim characters vis-à-vis medieval texts and images. Here, I incorporate Crusades-era sources, travel literature, and their accompanying iconography alongside the characterizations and aesthetics that pervade Raymonda. These comparisons apprehend the racializing and (proto)colonial thrust of crusader ideology and Russian imperialism. The final section historicizes Raymonda through medieval lyric and gestures toward an Afro-Islamicate ancestry of lyricism and ballet medievalism. Therefore, while traditional versions of Raymonda project Islamophobia, I posit that a rigorous examination of the Middle Ages imbues this ballet with profundity and intercultural nuance. Ultimately, this article demonstrates how a combined study of premodern travel and postmedieval dance may help scholars challenge the Eurocentrism, colonialism, and Whiteness that pervade medieval studies and the art of ballet. Full article

Teachers can be transgressive agents to foster the inclusion of the growing migrant population in European schools. However, they are often faced by many challenges working with the ethnic/religious diversity in their classrooms. Moreover, they sometimes adopt stigmatised views about minoritised students that affect their attitudes and discourses towards them. Muslim migrant students tend to endure discrimination and essentialist discourses in their educational experiences. Thus, this study aims to analyse teachers’ discourses and attitudes towards Moroccan Muslim migrant students in their formal education, from the perspective of their mothers. A critical qualitative study with a mixed thematic content analysis was carried out. In-depth interviews with a total of nine Moroccan mothers were conducted. There are still cases in which teachers’ discourse and attitudes can marginalise Moroccan Muslim migrant students. This can be explained by the lack of teacher training. Teachers sometimes struggle to tackle discrimination, which is eased by well-established action plans. There is a need for contextualised and specific training for teachers. Furthermore, policies, schools and the community should support and involve teachers in the development of more inclusive practices that are aware of systemic inequality and privilege. Full article

This study examines the increasing Muslim presence in Western Europe, driven by migration, fertility rates, and religious conversion according to recent demographic research. Triggering events such as the 9/11 attacks in 2001 and the 7/7 London bombings in 2005, marked as milestones, worsened by the global media and propaganda, have significantly fueled Islamophobia across the region. Countries in Western Europe, like Spain, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, are selected focus areas to reflect social change and overlapping responses to the shifts. This study investigates the connection between rising anti-immigrant sentiment toward Muslims and the media’s role in shaping Islamophobia by negatively depicting Islam as a religion of war or terror. By analyzing the European Islamophobia Reports from 2015 to 2023, this study examines how Muslims are portrayed both as immigrants and through their symbolic societal presence. The study critically analyzes anti-Islam propaganda and the life experiences of Muslim communities by implementing qualitative methods through a literature review. The findings of this study reveal a paradox between Europe’s advocacy for diversity and the realities shaped by political and global dynamics, which hinder efforts toward inclusion. These insights could inform media policies to promote more balanced representations of Muslims and guide societal initiatives aimed at reducing prejudice and fostering greater inclusivity in Western Europe. Full article

From public images of Islam to everyday Muslim practice. As the current debates on “Islam” and “Muslims” in Europe illustrate, social conflicts related to religious issues seem to attract public attention and become politicised relatively quickly. As European societies develop into a place of cultural and religious diversity in the context of global opening processes, voices are increasingly raised that propagate religious homogeneity in Europe and see the presence of Muslims almost exclusively as a problem. On the one hand, such homogenising interpretations are made visible, and it is shown how a decidedly negative image of Islam has emerged and how such rigid categorisations lead to the decontextualisation of religious affiliations and practices, which has a significant influence on the life constructions and positioning practices of those affected. On the other hand, biographical examples are used to illustrate how negative attributions to Islam and its adherents are perceived by subsequent generations, how they react to them, how they position themselves in the debate, and what strategies result from this to deal with them. The focus is on the experiences of those affected, i.e., the “knowledge of the people”, as a counterpoint to a “hegemonic knowledge” of Islam and Muslims. Full article

Islamic ornamentation is important to mosque architecture, reflecting Islamic culture’s rich traditions and artistry. In contemporary European mosques, the challenge lies in combining these traditional styles with modern architectural designs, creating spaces that honor heritage and foster inclusivity among varied Muslim communities. These challenges impact mosque design’s cultural, esthetic, and functional dimensions, essential for sustaining Islamic identity. To explore how these factors influence cultural architectural expressions, this study examines ornamentation in four contemporary European mosques: Cologne Central Mosque (Germany), Cambridge Central Mosque (United Kingdom), Al-Ándalus Mosque (Spain), and Rijeka Mosque (Croatia). It evaluates their impact on cultural heritage, esthetic appeal, functionality, and Islamic identity within the context of modern architectural styles through a comparative analysis. The results demonstrate adaptations to local contexts and modern trends. Al-Ándalus Mosque reveals a strong identity by preserving traditional heritage, while Cologne and Cambridge Mosques balance tradition and modernity. Rijeka Mosque, heavily influenced by minimalism, reduces cultural richness despite a contemporary approach. Modern innovations like sustainable materials enhance functionality but sometimes dilute Islamic identity. The study concludes that integrating traditional elements with modern esthetics and functionality is essential to aligning mosque design with contemporary styles, while preserving Islamic identity and fostering a sense of belonging within Muslim communities in Europe. Full article

This scoping review investigates the labor market challenges and coping strategies of highly skilled second-generation immigrants in Europe who, despite their educational and professional accomplishments, face persistent barriers related to ethnic, cultural, and religious identities. Synthesizing existing literature, the review examines obstacles to the economic integration of highly educated children of immigrants, highlighting both their perceptions of these barriers and the adaptive strategies they employ. A systematic search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost to identify studies published between 2010 and 2024. The selection process followed a structured five-stage framework, including defining research questions, identifying and selecting relevant studies, charting the data, and synthesizing findings. A total of 1192 records were initially identified, with 1022 retained after duplicate removal. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 68 studies were included in the review. Findings indicate that hiring discrimination, occupational segregation, and exclusion from elite professional networks remain key barriers, particularly for those of Muslim background. Despite achieving professional success, many continue to encounter symbolic boundaries that limit career advancement. In response, second-generation professionals adopt various coping strategies, including ethnic niche formation, entrepreneurship, and transnational mobility, to navigate labor market disadvantages. Challenging traditional assimilation narratives, findings reveal that professional success does not guarantee societal acceptance, as ethnic and cultural identities continue to pose significant barriers. The review concludes by identifying key research gaps, advocating for further exploration of organizational practices that perpetuate ethnic inequalities within high-skill professions, and examining transnational mobility as a coping strategy for second-generation elites. Future research should explore how gender and ethnicity intersect to shape career trajectories for second-generation women. Additionally, expanding research beyond the predominant focus on Muslim professionals to include other religious and ethnic groups would provide a more comprehensive understanding of how identity markers influence labor market outcomes. Finally, as demographic shifts reshape European labor markets, comparative studies should assess how different institutional and cultural frameworks influence patterns of inclusion and exclusion for highly skilled second-generation professionals. Full article

In European imaginings of the Islamic world, women incited intense curiosity and were often depicted by early modern writers as sexualized subjects and curious objects of male desire. However, this Orientalist fascination ignores the very curiosity of these women and their desire to glean knowledge about the world around them. While curiosity became increasingly valued in the early modern period as a means of progress, female curiosity was still often linked to the perils of excess (Neil Kenny). This essay examines this apparent contradiction by focusing on the Muslim protagonist in one of Miguel de Cervantes’s plays that takes place on the Spanish–North African borderlands. In Los baños de Argel (1615), Zahara defends her desire to inquire about the world by portraying herself as a “curious impertinent” (“curiosa impertinente”), a name that clearly recalls the tale of “El curioso impertinente” intercalated in the first part of Don Quixote (1605). Moreover, Zahara harnesses her ability to ask questions to further her goals and ambitions. Ultimately, through a close reading of the female protagonist in this play, I argue that Cervantes considers the ways in which women asserted their own curiosity and represented themselves as agents of inquiry. Full article

This article addresses religious governance in Ukraine in relation to local Muslim organizations associated with the Council of European Muslims (CEM), formerly known as the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE). Specifically, it focuses on the Council of Ukrainian Muslims (CUM), formerly known as Alraid, and the Spiritual Administrations of Ukrainian Muslims Ummah (SAUM Ummah). Addressing the policymaking aspect of securitization, the article concerns state policies in Ukraine as ‘soft securitization’, meaning the execution of limited interventions and restrictions on the activities of Muslim organizations in Ukraine, particularly those at the focus of this article and labeled as ‘Islamist’. The FIOE in Europe and Alraid in Ukraine developed a response to these policies, informed by the wasatiyyah (moderation) post-Islamist ideology. The article analyzes how the wasatiyyah ideology was appropriated and negotiated in the discourse of these Ukrainian organizations, and how it informed their civic activism. Full article

This article for the first time examines the activities of transnational information campaigns initiated by young Shiʿa Muslims across European, Russian, and Armenian cities. These campaigns aim to disseminate knowledge about Imam Hussain and his mission to non-Shiʿa audiences. The campaigns serve as vivid examples of the struggles faced by Muslims in relatively hostile contexts as they seek integration and acceptance as law-abiding and peaceful citizens. They also represent new avenues of Islamic activism, focusing on dismantling stereotypes and correcting “misunderstandings” within host societies. Drawing on semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and an analysis of campaign handouts and social media content between 2018 and 2024, this study explores how campaigners adapt the narrative of the Karbala tragedy—widely regarded as the metahistorical cornerstone of Shiʿa identity—to make it accessible and relevant to external audiences. These strategies enable campaigners to engage with out-group communities, testing and refining effective methods for presenting this pivotal historical event. The findings reveal that, through this process, the Karbala narrative undergoes both content-based and linguistic modifications, while the concept of justice—central to the commemoration of this tragedy—is reinterpreted in new contexts. This research contributes to the understanding of transnational Islamic activism and highlights the importance of strategic communication in fostering intercultural dialogue and promoting mutual understanding in diverse societies. Full article