ABSTRACT
Religion is now socially and politically active in Western Europe in ways which until recently were unthinkable, following the fast post-World War II pace of secularisation. This chapter examines the issue of religion and multiculturalism in Europe, through a focus on Islam. It analyses the relationship between religion, multiculturalism and political and social developments in Europe through a focus on Islam and explains why these issues are now publicly important despite the continuing advance of secularisation. The chapter examines Ramadan's ideas about multiculturalism in the context of Muslims living in Britain and France – European countries that have different ideas about multiculturalism and the place of Islam and it look the issue of multiculturalism. Successful policy of 'multiculturalism' must do much more than acknowledging – perhaps only rhetorically – that people need to make comprises and be tolerant 65in order to live together when exhibiting different religious traditions, ethnic loyalties and/or national affiliations.
