Secularism, Religion and Multicultural Citizenship

Contemporary Western democracies are challenged by the problems raised by the relationship between religion, multiculturalism and secularism. This book seeks to clarify the history, terms and limits of western secularism and explores the Muslim experience today, considering its broader significance for multicultural liberal democracies.

The Islamist attacks of 9/11, the Danish cartoon affair and rioting by Muslim youths in France are just some of the events that have caused the ''Muslim question'' to become a key issue of public debate in many western democracies. Secularism, Religion and Multicultural Citizenship argues that the Muslim case raises important questions about how we understand western secularism and respond to new religious claims in multicultural democracies. The contributors challenge prevailing assumptions about the history and practice of western secularism and recover the pragmatism behind liberal principles in negotiating new conditions. By situating the Muslim experience in relation to western secularism and liberal democratic practice, and through examining a variety of national contexts (including Britain, Germany, France, Denmark, the United States, Australia and India), this book extends thinking about our contemporary condition and considers the broader significance for multicultural liberal democracies.