After three weeks in Spain, France
and the British Isles my knowledge of castles, medieval battles and the royal
succession has certainly increased.
However the topic that most interested me in reading the European press,
observing interactions in the places we visited and speaking with local
residents was immigration. I have
learned that the European experience regarding Muslim immigration looks nothing
like the American example. It is a
mistake to try and draw parallels between what is happening in Paris and
London, including incidents of terrorism, with what has or may happen within
our domestic borders. It is a mistake to
believe Europeans view immigration and terrorism as we do.
First the numbers. There are approximately 44 million Muslims
living in Europe. Eight percent of the
French population (The largest of any European Nation); six percent in Germany
and five per cent in Britain are Muslim.
In the United States a little less than one percent of our population is
Muslim.
In the major multicultural cities
thirteen percent on Londoners (with forty percent of all British Muslims living
in or near London); and ten percent of Parisians are Muslim. In contrast, our most multi cultural urban
area, the New York City Metro Area, is only three per cent Muslim.
The reasons for these large Muslim
populations living in Europe vary by country.
In France for example, it is the legacy of the war in Algeria, Frances’
former Muslim colony. Immigration to
Europe has been steadily increasing since WWII because of its proximity to the
Muslim world, the ability of families to easily visit their tribal homelands
for marriage and other special occasions and most importantly, economic and
social opportunities which do not exist in Muslim homelands.
Until recently, Muslim immigration
was encouraged by European governments because of declining birthrates. Aging and shrinking populations have a
pronounced negative effect on economic growth that can only be reversed by
encouraging a new vibrant work force. This was a major consideration when
Germany permitted over two million immigrants in 2015.
In London and Paris the Muslim
presence is everywhere and deeply embedded in the pulse of society. One can only conclude that those of Mid
Eastern and South Asia Heritage make up as important a segment of European society
as the Irish, Italian and Jewish diasporas did in the United States during the
nineteenth and early twentieth century.
The bottom line is that Europe has
a large Muslim population that will only increase over time because of high
birth rates and a younger population. Most recently this demographic fact has
accelerated as the failed states in the Mid East and North Africa have resulted
in Europe being overrun by immigrants seeking to escape the horrors of war and
oppression. Unfortunately, southern
Europe, which has not yet recovered from the recent recession and has limited resources,
has been forced to contend with the greatest portion of this migration.
In speaking with native Anglo Europeans, there
are two distinct concerns. The first is
akin to the populist fear of latinization in the United States. As Muslim
minorities increase in number and overtake native majorities, there is anxiety
that both cultural traditions and political power will erode.
This has become a voting issue for
populist citizens, in rural and industrial areas all over Europe, not unlike
the Trump supporters in the United States.
My observation on this issue is that these European nativists do not
appear to view new Muslim immigrants as terror threats, but rather as a
dilution of their European heritage and as a strain on scarce social services.
The second concern is related to
Islamic extremism, but is actually a much broader and complex issue. All over Europe, most strongly in France and
Britain is the question of integration vs. isolation of Muslim populations.
France has long favored its
republican model, that French citizenship should be easily granted but in
return no group of people should keep their pre French identity. The long
standing “head scarf” controversy is a case in point.
Britain, on the other hand, has
been more tolerant in permitting Muslim communities to isolate and retain their
cultural heritage. Since the latest
terrorist episodes, there have been calls to introduce legislation mandating that
new immigrants must learn English, attend public schools and become
“British”.
Liberals in Britain are against
this government intrusion. They often point
to the Canadian policy on immigration, which relies on the attitude and
openness of the host community to make a difference rather than on tolerance
with mandated conditions attached. This debate,
whether integration is a flattening process of forced assimilation or an equal
opportunity defined by laissez-faire multiculturalism appears to me to embody
the major ongoing public debate on immigration throughout Europe.
Security concerns in preventing acts of
terrorism are perceived much differently in Europe than the United States. Our London Hotel was minutes away from the London
Bridge attack on June 3, 2017. The
Manchester bombing had occurred only two weeks before. Public opinion following the attacks did not
seem to place any direct blame on the Muslim Community or immigration policy.
The terror actors in these attacks
were British citizens that had been radicalized. London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan,
perhaps the most visible Muslim political leader in Europe, was at the head of
the terror investigation and a voice of reason.
Other Muslim religious leaders were quick to condemn the acts of
violence. The media debate was centered
on anti terrorism efforts, and whether the conservative national government had
cut funding to address terrorism, not on immigration.
European citizens who join ISIS and
other radical groups in Syria and elsewhere are seen as the greatest immediate
threat and given zero tolerance. Those
that cannot be eliminated on the battlefield are immediately arrested upon
return. There is no question that
because of the large Muslim population in Europe it is difficult to identify
and keep surveillance on every individual with radical sympathies. Open communications with the Muslim community
has been the most effective security tool in uncovering planned acts of
terrorism.
Does the European immigration
experience and its response to terrorism have any lessons for the United
States? We are clearly in a different place and time. It is difficult to imagine a Muslim mayor of
New York City or Muslims being a significant portion of our population, working
with the rest of us to achieve a safe, democratic society. However there are
several takeaways that would serve us well.
First, from the European perspective
new Muslim immigrants seeking a better life apart from their war torn countries
are not viewed as a terrorism threat. It
is understood that there is a humanitarian need to provide these individuals
with basic food, shelter, a new start for their families and emotional support
to heal both mind and body. The adopting
countries are prepared to offer social services in the short run to guarantee
productive citizens over time.
Second, the manner in which second
and third generation Muslim immigrants are integrated into society is of utmost
importance in addressing terrorism. Rather than permit enclaves from Muslim
countries to isolate, it is important that the larger community present an
“open floor plan” so that the language, school and social barriers are as
welcoming and accessible as possible.
Forced assimilation has not worked well in France or other places it has
been attempted.
Third, when it comes to terrorism,
Muslim communities must feel that they are part of the solution and not being
harassed as part of the problem. In
Europe, because of large numbers and a longer history of immigration, Muslims
have become enmeshed in the legal system, law enforcement, immigration
enforcement, security and social services. United States authorities must make
up for this deficiency by permitting if not encouraging Muslims to enter these
fields.
Lastly, the Muslims I spoke to in Spain, France and
Britain were proud of their heritage and proud to be European Citizens. I owe a
special debt to Mr.Boualem Bessaih, manager of the café in the Tower of London, who found my eye glasses and
contacted me a day later to make sure I retrieved them. This was one of many
acts of kindness, professionalism and good citizenship we encountered from the
European Muslim community during our brief visit.
Despite
the terror incident on the London Bridge, our trip to Europe confirmed my faith
in humanity in all of its diversity. The
American viewpoint is one of many and thankfully does not rule the world. Rather
than build a wall perhaps it is time to light a flame under the American
melting pot and gain some new insight on the foundation principles of our
democracy.
