Islam and Transnationalism

This paper forms the introduction to a special issue of the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies on ‘Islam, Transnationalism, and the Public Sphere in Western Europe’. Taking as its starting point the seminal volume edited by Gerholm and Lithman—The New Islamic Presence in Western Europe (1988)—the paper reviews continuities and changes in European Muslim communities and their relationship with others. Drawing extensively on case studies based on anthropological research in four European countries (Britain, France, Germany and Italy), the paper first examines the problematic character of the category ‘Muslim’, and identifies ways in which Islam in a European context can be considered transnational. It then explores how the question of living as a Muslim in Europe is being addressed in the context of transnationalism, considers whether there is an emergent ‘European Islam’ or ‘European Muslim’ identity, and ends with consideration of the problems and prospects for Islam in European public spheres.