A “Diagnose” of Muslims’ Social Integration in Madrid

Abstract

In the current context of increased attention to the Muslim minority and the religiously framed conflicts of some segments of Islam, this paper aims to contribute with empirical evidence on Muslim “problematicity” in Madrid, exploring their main barriers to social integration by analyzing the data from semi-structured interviews with Muslim leaders. Although the Muslim minority is officially recognized by the Spanish State, the legal provisions are not fully implemented. The lack of implementation hinders the Muslims’ proper social integration in Madrid and reveals the first category of problems identified, of operational character, which – with the proper implementation of the agreement – could be easily solved. Furthermore, the second type of problems emerges and refers to the increased concern on Muslim youth. The ongoing tensions between the majority and Muslim minorities, altogether with the tensions between Muslim parents and Muslim youth pose significant challenges to the latter and to the Spanish society as a whole, in long term, especially with the rise of the radicalization of Muslim youth.