Introduction

The term 'Islamophobia' has been gaining quite a prominence over recent years. It has been used increasingly to refer to the rejection and discrimination from which the Muslim population in European societies has been suffering over two decades or so. The question of subjective autonomy is central to the discussion of Islamophobia. The special issue of Politics, Religion and Ideology seeks to contribute to the academic debate on European Islamophobia by focusing on the paradox that characterizes the discourses used today to discuss the 'Muslim Question' in Europe. The laws defining the place of religion in French society are touched upon in a number of articles to highlight the way anti-Muslim illiberalism also draws on the self-perception and imaginary of the secular character of European societies, imaginary that has become associated with the notion of European identity in a way that subsumes their national identities.