I can't pretend to understand the intricacies of the situation of Muslims who live in France, but I do know that it's volatile. For those like me who would like a primer on the issues, Spiegel On-Line has an overview of the life of Muslims in France. The article cites "discrimination on a daily basis: when their tickets are checked on the metro, when they have to meet the bouncer’s approval to enter a disco, when they go in for a job interview and when they apply for a bank loan" Observers say it's not a question of integration, but of being characterized by their religion, which is viewed with suspicion and distrust. And a bickering local Muslim Council has been unable to provide leadership to ease the issues. All-in-all, a fascinating read.
Related to this story, from The Washington Post via French Culture Now: estimates that Muslims make up 60 to 70 percent of France's prison population.
