MUSLIMFRANCECANADA

"Reception and Integration of Muslims in France, Quebec and English Canada"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'This project compares the experiences of Muslim minorities in three contexts: France, Quebec, and English Canada. The objective is to assess the extent of integration of Muslim minorities in each setting, to identify key similarities and differences, to find the most important reasons for any differences, and to relate findings to previous research and public discourse in each setting. The three-way comparison helps illuminate a number of issues of significance to current debates on immigration and multiculturalism, including the role of public attitudes, national integration ‘models’ and advantages of traditional ‘nations of immigration’ over recent European experience, and language and culture. The theoretical framework takes account of four sets of factors: minority characteristics, mainstream attitudes and debates, institutional structures, and public policies, and draws upon inter-disciplinary perspectives. Both quantitative and qualitative data are used. On the quantitative side, for France the new government-mandated “Trajectories and Origins” (TeO) survey conducted in 2009 (over 21000 interviews) overcomes many limitations in existing statistics for identification of ethnic minorities. The comparable Canadian source is the monumental “Ethnic Diversity Survey” conducted in 2002 by Statistics Canada (over 42000 interviews). Excellent collaboration is available in use of the French data; I have already published a major book on the Canadian data. The project also will conduct a series of specially designed focus-group sessions involving structured encounters between Muslims and non-Muslims conducted in Paris, Montreal and Toronto. The project will be facilitated by CADIS in Paris where I build on a strong institutional foundation. It will produce a major book to be submitted to the MacMillan Palgrave series on migration, and papers for international conferences. A conference and workshop also will be held.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU-funded researchers compared the experiences of Muslim minorities in English Canada, France and Quebec. They assessed the extent of integration of these minorities in each setting, seeking to identify similarities and differences, and to determine key reasons for any differences.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The 'Reception and integration of Muslims in France, Quebec and English Canada' (MUSLIMFRANCECANADA) project took an interdisciplinary approach and examined both quantitative and qualitative data. Its theoretical framework considered four sets of factors: minority characteristics, mainstream attitudes and debates, institutional structures and public policies.

Project work involved a review of related research, consulting with scholars in each setting, data analysis and interpretation of results, focus group studies and results analysis, research reports and papers and a conference.

MUSLIMFRANCECANADA has prepared a 10-chapter book outline. Quantitative data analysis for six of the chapters has been completed and work on the seventh chapter is ongoing. For four chapters, comparison and analyses of two major data sets are nearing completion.

Paris researchers went on two working trips in Toronto. For Canada, France and Quebec (and eight other major immigration nations) analysis of World Values Surveys and ISSP surveys has been completed. This work constitutes the basis for one of the book chapters. Project partners are also finalising an analysis of mental health medical surveys for Canada, France and Quebec. Data analysis related to minority attitudes and perceptions has commenced for the same three settings.

Focus group studies included 18 interviews and were conducted in Paris with members of Muslim minorities. This task sought to highlight comparisons with Canada and Quebec. Two group discussions have been conducted to study conflict over religious expression; the project has completed a preliminary analysis of these results.

Three international workshops have been planned to provide feedback on the research. The results are expected to be published in an edited book relevant to comparative research on the integration of Muslim immigrants in different settings.

The comparative study helps illuminate important issues, contributing to contemporary debates on immigration and multiculturalism. These issues include the role of public attitudes, national integration 'models' and advantages of traditional nations of immigration over recent European experiences, and language and culture.