ABSTRACT
Tariq Ramadan's ideas focus on the place of Islam and Muslims in Europe. Many young Muslims in Europe have shown a keen interest in Islam over the past 20 years, yet there are no recognised religious authorities to meet their needs. The new identity cannot be forged outside reformism, without a search for an authentic Islam that has been purified and simplified. Separated from the country of origin, the revised identity blends better with citizenship. This is where Ramadan's role is important – redefining an identity broadly based on Islam – and is the key to his public popularity. During the 1990s, the leadership of Islam in Europe was profoundly affected by the arrival of religious figures who have imposed their personalities on the community. Their role is different from that of the imam who acted as an intermediary between the civil authorities and the faithful.
