Muslims in Europe: Trend Analysis

With an estimated 15–20 million Muslims living in the EU and this population expected to double by 2025, “At Home in Europe: Muslims in EU cities” by the Open Society Institute set out to understand the everyday experiences of ordinary Muslims. They assessed Muslims living in 11 cities across Western Europe including: Antwerp, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Leicester, London, Marseille, Paris, Rotterdam and Stockholm. The research focused on the impact of public policies aimed at improving integration and social inclusion. Researchers closely examined the interaction between residents, policymakers and politicians and also whether population concentrations of Muslims have encouraged practical solutions to social policies that respond to the needs and views of local Muslim populations. “Too many companies are still shying away from addressing religion in the workplace,” says Diversity expert Michael Stuber who has been working with leading multinationals on all the various dimensions of Diversity. “The issue can’t be avoided, and there is a lot to gain from it as well,” he adds.
With very little data available on Europe’s Muslim and minority populations, this research revealed much valuable information showing that religious discrimination against Muslims remains a critical barrier to full and equal participation in society.