Abstract

On November 19, 2009 the European Parliament hosted a British Council-sponsored debate entitled “Europe and Islam: Whose Identity Crisis?” As the organizers of the event observed,

we are facing a growing mutual mistrust that leaves Europe on the verge of a dangerous rift. One of the major cultural challenges that we face today is whether we can overcome the fear that difference and diversity will weaken national and social cohesion and succeed in building a Europe that is enriched by its different cultural identities.