Traces how governments across Western Europe have responded to the presence of Muslim immigrants in their countries over the years. This title challenges the widespread notion that Europe's Muslim minorities represent a threat to liberal democracy.

List of Illustrations ix List of Tables xi List of Abbreviations xiii Preface xvii Chapter One: A Leap in the Dark: Muslims and the State in Twenty-fi rst-Century Europe 1 Chapter Two: European Outsourcing and Embassy Islam: L'islam, c'est moi 30 Chapter Three: A Politicized Minority: The Qur'an is our Constitution 70 Chapter Four: Citizens, Groups, and the State 105 Chapter Five: The Domestication of State-Mosque Relations 133 Chapter Six: Imperfect Institutionalization: Islam Councils in Europe 163 Chapter Seven: The Partial Emancipation: Muslim Responses to the State--Islam Consultations 198 Chapter Eight: Muslim Integration and European Islam in the Next Generation 245 Notes 273 Interviews 309 Bibliography 317 Index 355

Co-Winner of the 2013 Best Book Award in Migration and Citizenship, American Political Science Association Winner of the 2013 Hubert Morken Award for Best Book, Religion and Politics Section of the American Political Science Association One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2012 "The Emancipation of Europe's Muslims ... looks at the largely unnoticed ways in which European governments have begun to integrate Muslims and Muslim organisations into public life... Relying on extensive research and a wide range of interviews, Mr. Laurence has written an original and thought-provoking study."--Economist "[Laurence's] book is perhaps the subtlest and most solidly researched analysis of European policies toward Islam... Laurence establishes firm ground for hope."--Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs "Laurence examines the transformation of the relations between Western European states and their Muslim populations. This ethnographically rich, well-documented book successfully reveals that European states (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK) have more similarities than differences in terms of their interactions with Muslims... [The Emancipation of Europe's Muslims] is very informative; it includes several figures and tables about Muslim demography, organizations, and representation in Western Europe. By emphasizing the complexity of state-Islam relations in Europe, it goes beyond simplistic dichotomies and cliches, and provides a much-needed, broad perspective on this important subject."--Choice "Laurence's book is filled with thoughtful reflections and deep insights about one of the most fundamental political issues of our time and presents the result of a meticulous study of a long and complex political process, masterfully documented and made vivid with the help of a substantial body of evidence collected from a number of countries across Europe."--Reza Azarian, European Societies "Laurence's study is rigorously researched and a noteworthy contribution to the field."--Sanam Vakil, International-Spectator "The Emancipation of Europe's Muslims is a very impressive book. It is historically informed, theoretically rich, and comprehensive in its scope."--J. Christopher Soper, Journal of Church and State

"Jonathan Laurence has written a remarkably accurate and comprehensive study of European Islam that transcends clichés and polemics. He brilliantly elucidates the long-term trends that are transforming the children of migrants into European Muslims, acknowledging the tensions as well as the achievements of the process."—Olivier Roy, European University Institute, Florence"Laurence's book is a splendid comparison of the management of religious—and especially Islamic—conflict in France, Italy, and Germany. Laurence arrays a range of convincing material to show that these countries followed similar pathways in managing their relations with Islam. The book holds out hope that Muslims may eventually be integrated within the political communities of these major European nations."—Sidney G. Tarrow, Cornell University"Laurence has written a brilliantly mature book about a topic that frequently provokes sophomoric exaggeration. The book is remarkable for its practical acumen and comparative-historical depth. The Emancipation of Europe's Muslims is a unique accomplishment. It presents a strong alternative to current so-called common wisdom."—Jytte Klausen, author of The Cartoons That Shook the World"The Emancipation of Europe's Muslims is an intelligent and thoughtful assessment of the changing relations of several European states to Islamic organizations and populations. Drawing on years of interviews with public Islamic leaders and state officials in a number of countries, this book will be a valuable guide at a broad level to the development of state-Islam relations in Western Europe."—John R. Bowen, author of Can Islam Be French?: Pluralism and Pragmatism in a Secularist State