ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the social and political position of Muslims in Europe, focusing on the impact of globalisation. It looks at the impact of transnational Islamic ideas in relation to Britain and France, where two recent issues have highlighted the position of Muslims in both countries. In Britain, the issue was the 7 July 2005 London bombings. In France, a focus on Islam was provided by the Paris riots of October November 2005. The chapter examines Turkeys continuing, controversial application to join the European Union (EU). It argues that in Europe, the religious, social and political importance of Islam is consequential in various ways for the regions internal and international relations. Until the 1960s, Islam was a relatively obscure religion in Britain. Growth in the numbers of Muslims in France came, as in Britain, initially by immigration. Successive French governments have claimed to want to integrate the countrys Muslims into French society.