Valérie Amiraux

Muslims in Paris highlights the everyday experiences and rarely heard voices of Muslims living in the neighbourhood of La Goutte d’Or, situated in Paris’ multicultural 18^tharrondissement. The qualitative research reveals that both Muslim and non-Muslim residents share a keen sense of belonging to their neighbourhood, city and country.  Challenging common misperceptions as to sources of division and exclusion, the report finds that Muslims and non-Muslims are united by common values—such as family and good neighbourliness—and that it is social and economic factors, not religion, which divides them.

The research offers a unique insight into how some of Paris’ diverse Muslim residents feel about where they live and the opportunities available to them to live as full citizens of France. The report examines the real sources of division, exclusion and discrimination they encounter in daily life, and efforts made to overcome these barriers.

By engaging with communities and policymakers, local experts heading the research explored the primary concerns of Muslim residents in the 18^tharrondissement.  Issues addressed include education, employment, health, housing and social protection, citizenship and political participation, policing and security, media, belonging and identity.

The report acts on its findings by offering a series of recommendations for local and national authorities, Muslim communities and other minority groups, NGOs and community organizations, the media, and broader civil society.

Muslims in Paris is the eleventh report in the Muslims in EU Cities series produced by the Open Society Foundations At Home in Europe Project. It is the result of research that examines the level and nature of integration of Muslims in 11 cities across Europe (Antwerp, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Leicester, London, Marseille, Paris, Rotterdam, and Stockholm).

The report and accompanying fact sheet are available for download.

source: http://www.soros.org/reports/muslims-paris