The questions surrounding Islam, with regards to both international security as well as its rise and presence in global society, prove to be some of the most difficult in our world today. Arguably, the debate is even more controversial in Europe, where a variant of Samuel P. Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" thesis may be manifesting itself within the realms of European sociopolitical consciousness. As it nears completion of a Constitution which will bind together all the citizens of the Continent and unite them under a common declaration of "equality, solidarity, democracy [...and] respect[..for] the diversity of the cultures of the peoples of Europe," the EU faces a number of critical dilemmas involving its relationship with Islam. The three most pressing seem to be the rise of xenophobic political movements, the threat of terrorist cells, and, perhaps most importantly, the lack of dialogue between Europe's growing Muslim population and the EU body politic.
Indeed, there is a significant proportion of Europe's Muslim population, last assessed to number upwards of ten million, which feels alienated from their adopted countries, irrelative of the fact that many are naturalized EU citizens. Their isolation is further enhanced by the recent proliferation of right-wing Nationalist movements which frequently adopt racist undertones, towing an "anti-immigrant" line. As Thomas Friedman has noted in his documentary "Searching for the Roots of 9/11", these sentiments of estrangement eventually push some towards religious fanaticism, the consequences of which can sometimes prove deadly. It is within this context that Europe must approach the following questions: How can we ensure the rights and the protection of all our citizens and residents without alienating or discriminating against a significant minority? And how do we strengthen our bond as Europeans, when the extremes of xenophobia and terrorism threaten to destroy any sense of mutual understanding...