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  "authors": [
    "H. A. Hellyer"
  ],
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  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
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Source: Getty

In The Media

European Muslims Are Already European

No community wants to feel it is being engaged with because it is a “problem”—a “difficulty” that has come from “outside.” Rather, they want to be recognized as integral to the society of which they are a part, and given assistance in order to excel—not because the establishment fears them.

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By H. A. Hellyer
Published on Nov 20, 2020
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Middle East

The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

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Source: Politico

By definition, something that’s “counterproductive” achieves the opposite result from the one that you want to achieve. As I’ve pondered European Council President Charles Michel’s call for the creation of a European institute to train imams, it’s that word — counterproductive — that has come to mind again and again.

There’s nothing untoward, intrinsically speaking, to favor the establishment and development of Muslim institutions of religious authority in Europe. That simply follows an existing pattern for Muslim communities historically and worldwide.

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This article was originally published in Politico.

About the Author

H. A. Hellyer

Former Nonresident Scholar, Middle East Program

Dr. H.A. Hellyer was a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He serves as a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies in London, and as a Cambridge University fellow.

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H. A. Hellyer
Former Nonresident Scholar, Middle East Program
H. A. Hellyer
Political ReformReligionWestern Europe

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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