ABSTRACT
According to Rea and Tripier (2003: 7) a common theme which can be traced in the analysis of immigration in Europe is the legitimacy of the presence of immigrants and their children. It is in particular the loyalties of immigrants’ children towards their “host” countries which raises doubts. The issue of belongings and multiple loyalties are cause for concern especially when linked to issues of security and the fight against international terrorism. Today it is young Muslims, identified on the basis of their parents’ national origin, who arouse most suspicion. They are seen to bear cultural and religious differences which are difficult to reconcile with democratic life (Rouadjia, 2004). 2 An example is the editorial by the political scientist G. Sartori in the national broadsheet Corriere della Sera (20 December 2009), where he (re-)affirms “young Muslims’ inability to integrate” (non integrabilità dei giovani islamici), making reference to “third generations” in England and France who are “more fervent and angry than ever” (più infervorate e incattivite che mai). The article takes a stand against the reform of the Italian citizenship law and concludes sustaining that “Islam is not a domestic religion” and “deluding ourselves that it can be integrated by ‘Italianizing’ it is a hugely naïve risk, a risk not worth taking”.
