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ISLAM IN THE EUROPEAN UNION: KEY ISSUES AND DEBATES

Abstract

The founding fathers of the European Union – Konrad Adenauer, Alcide de Gasperi and Robert Schuman – were all Christian Democrats and devoted Catholics. At that time, this aspect was understood as a solid basis for a united Europe and European identity. Since then, however, things have significantly changed as the growing presence of Muslims in the EU has challenged its initially imagined outlook and, accordingly, various issues focusing on Islam, European identity and inclusion of the Muslims continue to penetrate numerous debates and question peaceful coexistence of Muslims and Europeans. While primarily elaborating on the postSeptember 11 dynamics, this paper concludes that coexistence is possible, but only, under certain circumstances.

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