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Muslims account for nearly 5% of the total population in several Western European countries. Their integration has been growing, according to the Bertelsmann Stiftung, an independent foundation based in Germany. The latter conducted a survey entitled «Religion Monitor 2017» to examine the situation of Muslims in Western Europe.
The German Foundation interviewed 1000 people and 500 others who claim to be Muslims. The study focused on Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Austria. Several indicators were taken into consideration for the survey such as language competence, education, Working life and interreligious contacts of Muslims in the above-mentioned countries.
«The second generation at the latest, the majority has entered mainstream society», declared the institute quoting the findings of the survey. «The successful integration is all the more notable because none of these five countries offer consistently good opportunities for participation, and Muslims encounter open rejection from one fifth of the population», says the same source.
The 14 million Muslim in these five countries are moving towards similar paths. They seize opportunities to participate to society. Moreover, they prefer to keep practicing their faith, although society is not ready to accept it.
«Islam is not an obstacle to integration. Muslims, even the highly religious, learn the new language and strive for higher education levels just as much as other immigrants», declared Stephan Vopel, Bertelsmann Stiftlung’s expert on social cohesion.
67% of Muslims in Western Europe stay in school after turning 17
The study reveals that the level of education in Muslim families is increasing from one generation to the other. Taking as an example the second generation, 67% of Muslim students continues their studies after turning 17. Unfortunately, France is the country with the highest score of high school dropouts, 11% of Muslim immigrants leave school before their 18th birthday. Less «satisfactory» results are scored in Germany and Switzerland where schools direct children towards the job-market at an early age, which helps families «benefit significantly from the high demand for labor».
When it comes to interreligious contacts, the survey suggests that 75% of Muslim «regularly spend their free time with non-Muslims». The majority of the people interviewed said that they feel «connected” to their host country.
20% of the citizens questioned claimed that they do not want Muslim neighbors (28% in Austria and 14% in France).
For the job market, «practicing Muslims» said that they have been subject to discrimination. They find it more difficult, especially when they reveal their faith trying to look for a job that goes hand in hand with their skills and know-how, except in the UK. The latter allows Muslims to practice their religion without them being discriminated against or losing their jobs. In France, «many Muslims are frustrated by discrimination in the labor market», concludes the German foundation.
