Nope no Muslim problems here!
In retrospect, the absence of a radical Islamic element was one of the most remarkable aspects of November's riots in France. However, if the French authorities don't do anything about the social and economic problems in the suburbs of the country's towns and cities, any future riots could well prove to be an uprising in the name of Islam.
Last week, the security service of the French police published a report in which it characterises the riots as a 'social uprising' motivated by the frustrations of underprivileged suburban youth about social exclusion and discrimination on the job market. This description is totally at odds with the vision of the French government, in particular that of Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who consistently claimed that the riots were the responsibility of organised gangs of criminals.
In the name of frustration
What is perhaps even more remarkable about the police report's conclusion is that it once again confirms the prominent absence of a radical Islamic element during the riots. Radical Islam is strongly represented in the suburbs of the larger French cities, among the very same age groups that were involved in the riots. This is, in itself, a great concern to the French authorities, but radical Muslims stood aloof and took no part in the riots. Some 9000 cars were set on fire out of - and in the name of - frustration, but this was not dressed up with any ideological rationalisation and definitely not carried out in the name of Islam.
French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy
Not yet, that is. In recent years, western European countries have found themselves facing a new problem that does not have a precedent in recent history: a polarisation between indigenous populations and migrant communities from underdeveloped non-western countries, often with an Islamic background.
If enough people...
The significance of the riots in France lies in the fact that they indicate that this polarisation is essentially a social and economic question. All over Europe, however, the integration of Muslim migrant communities is increasingly viewed as a cultural and religious problem, both by the indigenous populations and by the Muslims themselves. If enough people think that the problem is one of religion, then it will indeed - if only for that reason - become a religious problem.
In the longer term, therefore, it seems highly likely that an increasing number of young underprivileged Muslims will start to understand their problems in religious terms and begin to organise themselves under a religious banner.
Natural reaction
At the moment, many young Muslims are struggling with the question of how to remain loyal to their religious convictions and yet participate in society. But if the efforts to integrate are frustrated by a glass wall of indigenous unwillingness, young Muslims will sooner or later turn their backs on a society that has nothing to offer them. This, at least, seems to be a natural reaction: "You don't recognise me, so I don't recognise you".
This is when radical Islam comes into play, with religion then used as a way to withdraw completely from the surrounding culture: "How can Islam help me to make clear that I am the total antithesis to the society that surrounds me?
November's riots were a wake-up call to the French authorities to do something about the social and economic problems in the suburbs. If they fail to do so, there's a distinct possibility that any future disturbances will take place in the name of Islam. And once large groups of Muslims start to view their protest as a religious struggle, the way back will be much more difficult
What a crock, only the French can have an uprising and think it's not what it is.
the above article is from a European newspaper"