Growing Islamic Identity Challenges Integration in French Neighborhoods, Resident Reports

"When you talk to kids at the school gate, and you ask them what their nationality is, they first answer: ’Muslim’; then Algerian, Moroccan, Tunisian... and finally, sometimes, French," said Paul to Famille chrétienne. According to him, "the lost territories of the Republic are not a media fantasy: it is a reality."

For this city hall executive, his work consists in creating a special bond with the inhabitants of these neighborhoods. He confesses to have realized that Islamism develops only in these self-contained environments where "religion takes precedence over everything else". "When you live in a neighborhood where everyone speaks the same language [Editor’s note: Arabic or a Maghreb language], where you follow the same customs, and where you live on the same family model, it’s hard to imagine anything else."

Another observation: "people prefer to talk from believer to believer". Paul often talks about Christ to the young people in these neighborhoods. "In fact, things are sometimes very simple: most of these young people are just kids who need to be loved. From the moment we look at them that way, the tone changes, and we can talk about God, faith, religion... Deep down, they are very curious!"

Result: Salafism, which emphasizes social piety, appears as "a simple conformism". "Looking beyond the mosque is difficult. During Ramadan, even though most residents don’t care about religion the rest of the year - not to mention the delinquents... - the neighborhood becomes an Islamic city. It’s 90% of the residents who participate in it. If you don’t follow the movement, but when it’s Lent you fast, then it gets interesting: ’Hey, but why are you doing that?’ That’s when we create the dialogue."

*Borrowed name