The Rise of Eurabia?

2006 Vol. 3: May/June

Not since the fall of Granada in 1492 and the subsequent Battle of Vienna in 1683 has the presence of Islam been felt so deeply in Western Europe. The rapid growth of Muslim communities has become the preeminent sociopolitical and religious issue confronting all of Europe. The resulting conflict not only reverberates among European political and religious leaders, but is keenly felt by ordinary European citizens. Muslim presence in Europe was minimal prior to 1945. The first wave of Muslims who came to Europe shortly after World War II were either those who emigrated from former European colonies as a consequence of decolonization or were “guest workers” recruited for industrial development in Europe.