Embracing Islam (or not) - both sides of atlantic
While US is currently fighting a 'war on terror' against the radical islamic states, the muslims at home are quite comfortably ensconced as against those in European states (French riots, Danish cartoons..) where there are increasing riots and restlessness among the muslim immigrants and the natives. EU is home to 20 million muslims while US is home to 4-7 million muslims. A look at basic differences in embracing Islam between the two sides of atlantic reveals some facts (Economist-June 06)
Europe fails to give newcomers decent economic life due to highly regulated labor laws. In America it is easier for a newcomer to get work and hard to claim welfare as against Europe.
Europe has volatile muslim underclass which is poor and from hungriest, angriest parts of muslim world (France and Netherlands having North African muslims, Germany- Turks) while American muslims are from south Asia or Iran or black American converts which lack any personal link to heartland.
Europe is agnostic and exhibits exclusionary nationalism. France's strict approach of banning muslim children from wearing head scarves as compared to America's political culture which places importance on right to religious difference provides better environment for assimilation.
The merit of American system is the freedom of speech on almost anything other than laws passed by elected lawmakers with a legal culture which enables people to fight back if their rights are infringed through Civil Liberties Union. This free speech culture and religious tolerance provides better for co-existence.
Europe fails to give newcomers decent economic life due to highly regulated labor laws. In America it is easier for a newcomer to get work and hard to claim welfare as against Europe.
Europe has volatile muslim underclass which is poor and from hungriest, angriest parts of muslim world (France and Netherlands having North African muslims, Germany- Turks) while American muslims are from south Asia or Iran or black American converts which lack any personal link to heartland.
Europe is agnostic and exhibits exclusionary nationalism. France's strict approach of banning muslim children from wearing head scarves as compared to America's political culture which places importance on right to religious difference provides better environment for assimilation.
The merit of American system is the freedom of speech on almost anything other than laws passed by elected lawmakers with a legal culture which enables people to fight back if their rights are infringed through Civil Liberties Union. This free speech culture and religious tolerance provides better for co-existence.
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