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In Search of the Good Muslim: French Muslims, the French State, and the Politics of Identity

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The State of Social Progress of Islamic Societies

Part of the book series: International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life ((IHQL))

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Abstract

This chapter analyses the anomalous position of Muslims in France, with specific reference to the generally hostile attitude of the French state. It stresses that there is no single ‘Muslim community’, and explores some of the differences and tensions experienced by Muslims. Many of these tensions are longstanding, and can be traced back to the legacy of French colonialism.

This paper was written during 2014, before the attack on Charlie-Hebdo in January 2015. It therefore makes no reference to this incident. In fact, following the attack, the author sees no need for any substantial change to the arguments he has elaborated. However, if the paper had been written after January 2015, he would have adopted a different tone in some sections.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. History, Faculty of Business and Society, University of South Wales, Trefforest, UK

    Sharif Gemie

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  1. Sharif Gemie
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Correspondence to Sharif Gemie .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oran2, Oran, Algeria

    Habib Tiliouine

  2. School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Richard J. Estes

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Gemie, S. (2016). In Search of the Good Muslim: French Muslims, the French State, and the Politics of Identity. In: Tiliouine, H., Estes, R. (eds) The State of Social Progress of Islamic Societies. International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24774-8_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24774-8_14

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