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French
Islamism and the Future of Europe
A briefing by Guy Millière
July 11, 2016
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Audio Recording
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Summary account by Middle
East Forum intern Joshua Buri
In a May 24 talk in Philadelphia hosted by the Middle East Forum,
noted professor and anti-Islamist author Guy Millière warned that
Islamism has spread throughout Europe and argued that this process will
likely continue unabated. Daniel Pipes followed with a brief rebuttal,
arguing that growing opposition to Islamism offers much hope for a
solution.
France, Millière explained, has undergone drastic changes in the past
several decades. Prior to the Foulard Affair (1989), there were very few
radical Islamic movements in France. Those groups that did exist had
limited adherents.
In contrast, there is now a significant radical Muslim movement in
France, the main being the UOIF (Union of Islamic Organizations of
France). Both UOIF and its parent organization, FIOE (Federation of
Islamic Organizations in Europe), have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
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Millière
warns that prisons in France have become "schools of jihad."
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Despite these ties, 50,000 people traveled to Paris to attend the
UOIF's annual meeting. At the meeting, attendees listened to radical
speakers, some of whom spoke via video as they are banned in France.
Guy Millière is also concerned by the creation of "no-go
zones." There are some 718
of these "sensitive urban zones," as the French government
terms them, in mainland France. These areas are symbolic of the failure
of immigrants to integrate into European society. These zones are
especially problematic for police and other city/government employees,
who have been met with hostility.
Europe is not currently equipped to deal with the number of people
returning from the Middle East with radical beliefs and training. Upon
returning to France, suspected jihadists are only monitored for 6 months.
This leaves them able to resume their activities without the government's
knowledge, sometimes with deadly consequences. For example, the
terrorists that attacked the Bataclan theatre in Paris had trained in
Syria and were previously monitored by the French government.
Millière warns that prisons in
France have become 'schools of jihad.'
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However, it is not necessary for people to go abroad to become
radicalized. Millière warns that in France, "jails are schools of
jihad" for the 70% of French inmates who are Muslim. Within jails,
moderate Muslims are silenced and jihad is presented as a way to atone
for past wrongs. So far, attempts
to de-radicalize French jails have proven unsuccessful.
Millière believes that these trends are likely to continue, as Muslims
will make up an increasingly large portion of French society. While
Muslims currently make up only 12% of the general population (8 out of 65
million), they comprise more than 25% of the French population younger
than 25.
Throughout Europe, traditional political parties do not represent the
anger that some of their citizens feel. The rise of reactionary parties
indicates that Millière is not alone in his view that "politicians
(are) on the verge of surrender" when it comes to Islamism.
Those who condemn Europe's
Islamization 'are immediately called rightist, fascist, and racist.'
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The only political parties that accept people who are concerned with
this trend are what Millière classifies as the "extreme right"
such as the National Front.
Despite their anger, Millière believes people are reluctant to speak
out. "People who are angry are immediately called rightist, fascist,
and racist." Furthermore, leftist judges can fine people who are
critical of Islam using the French legal system.
Middle East Forum President Daniel Pipes presented a more optimistic
view of the future – specifically, the growing opposition in response to
the increase in Islamism. He points to Germany's deal with Turkey for
guest workers in 1955 as the impetus for the increase in Sharia and Islam
in Europe. However, starting around 25 years ago, pushback began in the
form of anti-Koran/minaret votes. While Mr. Pipes concedes that some of
this countermovement has its origins in what he terms "nasty places,"
he remains hopeful that the extreme right will evolve into a more
moderate and reasonable counterweight.
Related
Topics: Immigration, Muslims in Europe This
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