The continent of Europe has experienced a series of migratory waves in the twentieth century which have redefined its demographic, ethnic and religious makeup. At the same time, the transformation of the EEC into the EU and its later expansion have allowed for unprecedented movement by people.

Though the diversity of today’s Europeans is enormous, it is of interest to take a closer look at the case of communities originating from countries with a Muslim majority. It was estimated in the year of 2010 that the European Union was home to approximately 13 million Muslim immigrants. The history of the EU’s members as societies taking in refugees varies greatly and includes many nuances. In France, the Muslims of a foreign origin come mostly from its former French colonies of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the mark left behind by colonialism has meant a greater presence of Muslims from the Indian subcontinent and from Africa. In contrast, Germany’s Muslims consist mainly of Turkish immigrants and their descendants, though they also include many who were born in Kosovo, Iraq, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Morocco. In Spain, immigration has developed along with the economic, social and demographic changes which the country has undergone in just a short period of time, especially after the processes of democratization and the country’s later membership in the EEC in 1986. Added to all of this has been the recent influx of refugees, mainly from Syria, Afghanistan and West Africa.

The contact which has been produced with such diversity has modified certain institutional and social parameters, while at the same time contributing organizational community structures. In the words of Oliver Roy, the Law ends up constructing a “legal form of the religious,” without going so far as defining it based on its content. As for the Islamic religion and its registered institutions, they have assumed this discourse in the sense that they feel legitimized by their legal status, while at the same time claiming their place within the public space.

Understanding the way in which regulatory frameworks have been defined to produce greater or lesser inclusiveness of Arabs and Muslims in European societies is essential in today’s context of major migratory pressure and increasing Islamophobia. At the same time, it is advisable to analyze, beyond just the legal context, the successful experiences in the field of integration so as to identify good practices and create recommendations for the future.

In summary, the seminar organized by Casa Árabe and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation proposes an analysis of different European legal systems, as well as sharing local experiences and practices. Each session will seek to complete comparative analyses of several countries in the EU, with both European and Spanish speakers. The goal is to spur debate, provide information and potentially influence the formulation of public policies.

The seminar is intended for specialists, social organizations and authorities.