Islam and France: Cooperation, integration and resistance

Abstract

This research examines France's relationship with its Muslim population. It explains some of France's basic guiding principles in order to understand the general expectations of its citizenry. It also looks at France's colonial period to see how matters of Islam were treated at the time and how the minority population was seen by the white French majority. It also takes a look at the current perceptions of Muslims in France. This research also attempts to understand some of the root causes of resistance committed by France's Muslim and Arab citizens by looking at demographics, political rhetoric, legislation, and media coverage concerning this community.