Existe-t-il une discrimination religieuse en France

Abstract

9/11 has affected in ambiguous ways the public perceptions and representations of Muslims and Islam in European Union member-states. A double dynamics started. On the one hand, it created new space for public discussions on the topic. On the other hand, in some cases it ended up by closing down dialogues and partnership between Muslims and public agencies, often justified by the necessity to extend security measures. Relying on this context, this article focuses on the way the issue of discrimination has emerged and is now set out in France, as well as in Germany, in Italy and in Great-Britain. Starting with definitions, the text questions the relevance of the religious criteria to assess the situations of inequality experienced by Muslims. Is there something like a religious discrimination that Muslims would be the victims of? In a second part, the article emphasises the necessity to build up operating categories that could help monitoring discriminations and fighting against it.