ABSTRACT
For many people, religion is an important dimension of identity. It is invoked especially in circumstances where it is challenged. As a result of both the massive influx of refugees originating from Muslim societies and security concerns about them in recent years, the religious aspect of identity in Europe has been challenged. It has thus gained importance among other aspects of identity both in social and political levels.
Social Identity Theory considers different groups in society with respect to their collective identity and approaches intergroup relations with respect to their differences. According to the theory, intergroup relations may bring about negative outcomes, which would lead to the exaggeration of other groups’ characteristics in negative ways and marginalize them while in-group members would tend to assert their shared identities.
This chapter focuses on religious identity in Europe. It aims to examine intergroup relations between Christians and Muslims, and within these relations Islamophobia is taken into account as a crucial reality. The chapter draws on published religious polls and reports about Islamophobia.
