Crescent Among the Stars: Islam and Islamphobia in the European Union

Inside the European Union, the rise in the number of Muslims and increased fear of Islam has increased tension and is stalling the integration of Europe, especially after the 2015 migrant crisis. Outside of the European Union (EU), Muslim-majority nations such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Turkey attempt to be involved as members in a Union often cited as a “Christian Club” by critics for its lack of Muslim participation. This paper is an attempt to showcase Islam’s rise in the EU and explain how EU integration suffers due to Islamophobia, especially after the 2015 crisis. To do this, I will examine the history of Islam in Europe, then examine the 2015 crisis, and interpret poll data and opinions on Muslims by Europeans today – largely drawn from modern new sources and non-partisan polling organizations such as the Pew Research Center. The paper will end with an explanation of how EU integration is affected by touching on divisions between the EU member states, the departure of one in part due to Islamophobia, and the refusal of others in part because of their Muslim culture