Muslims in Europe: - International Institute - University of Michigan

France
Number of Muslims and ethnic groups
4,155,000 Muslims living in France, out of a total population of 58,520,688. The great majority – about 2,900,000 –
are from the Maghreb (1,550,000 of Algerian origin, 1,000,000 of Moroccan origin, and 350,000 of Tunisian
origin), but there are large populations from other areas as well: 100,000 from the Middle East, 315,000 from
Turkey, 250,000 from sub-Saharan Africa, 100,000 Asians, 100,000 of various other origins, and 40,000 converts.
There are also approximately 350,000 asylum applicants and illegal workers who are Muslim. An estimated three
million are French citizens. Muslims are settled throughout the country, but there are concentrated communities in
the Ile-de-France (35 percent), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (20 percent), Rhône-Alpes (15 percent), and the Nord-
Pas-de-Calais (ten percent).
It is not permitted to collect statistics on the basis of religious affiliation, and the census does not ask questions
regarding religion.
Main Muslim associations
Muslim associations have formed several federations to identify and represent common interests vis-à-vis the State.
For the moment, these associations remain the principal medium for communication between the State and Muslim
communities.
Several national organizations have sought recognition as the official State representative of the Muslim community.
These include the National Federation of the Muslims of France (FNMF), the Paris Mosque, the Union of the
Islamic Organizations of France (UOIF), and the Tabligh.
The FNMF was established in 1985, and aims to meet the religious, cultural, educational, social and humanitarian
needs of Muslims.
The Paris Mosque (established in 1926) numbers more than 500 local associations among its members. Until 1993,
it was financed by Saudi Arabia; today it is funded by the financial contributions of its members (a majority of
whom are of Moroccan origin), and is closely affiliated to the Algerian Government. It has always been closely
associated with various Government initiatives.
The UOIF (established in 1983), is the French branch of the Union of the Islamic Organizations in Europe. It
manages the European Institute of Social Sciences of Saint Léger de Fougeret (Nièvre). The Tabligh – a movement
of Pakistani origin – is also a major actor within the Muslim community. The association “Faith and practice,”
which belongs to this movement, is especially active in providing assistance and services to the residents of the socalled
disadvantaged districts.
Though they have established a strong presence at the regional and local level, local Muslim groups and associations
were largely excluded from the Consultation until July 2001, when the Framework Agreement proposed to establish
a Regional Council of Muslims in France along with the National Council.
Through regional and local groups, demands articulated by the younger generations (mainly for public recognition
of their religion and a more active fight for equality among French citizens, regardless of their cultural and religious
differences) are voiced alongside more traditional claims for Muslim plots in public cemeteries, new places of
worship, and respect for dietary requirements by public service providers, reflecting an increasing will on the part of
Muslim communities – including both observant and non-observant Muslims – to involve the State more actively in
managing their affairs.
Legislation
Laïcité is considered one of the principal Republican values. State policies to exclude religious expression from
public institutions such as schools and the regulation of the public rights and representation of certain recognized
religious minorities date back to the beginning of the 19 th century. The 1905 Combes Law created a legal
153