Breeding Bin Ladens: America, Islam, and the Future of Europe

Dr. Shore conducted interviews of muslems living in western Europe to try and understanding the way in which their experience of balancing their religious views in the context of Western European secular values can inform policy-makers and citizens alike about this important component of our community. The book is perhaps less apocolyptic than the title, but the content is no less fascinating for its insights. Shore introduces the reader to men and women who are primarily moderate muslems, who are nevertheless, wrestling with the challenges of Western cultural practices that are often offensive or harmful in their eyes. Shore also discusses various recent controversies, such as the battle of the veil iun France, the murder of Theo van Gough in Holland, and the publication of cartoons in a Danish newspaper. Dr. Shore has a number of policy suggestions for how to keep this large segment of the muslem community in the fold of the West, and relatively immune to the calls of radical clerics. Overall Shore tone is one of concern, but tinged with optomism. He places in important historical context assimilation processies of earlier eras, when seemingly intractable, radical religious groups lived in the West, and yet did not wax more destructive or nilistic. Anyone wishing to understand the cultural, political, and historical contexts of Islam in the West should read this book.

BREEDING BIN LADENS: AMERICA, ISLAM AND THE FUTURE OF EUROPE covers the heart of terrorist activity: in the communities which foster and harbor Muslim militants: Europe itself. Here is associate professor Zachary Shore's argument that the growing ambivalence of Europe's Muslim community poses risks to international security and national alliances, and that Europe's failure to integrate its Muslim communities are leading to breeding grounds for terrorist activities. Interviews with Muslims living across Europe document the problems and outline possible solutions. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch