Muslims in France: The Paris Life of Muslim Quarters

Abstract

The article aims to study Muslims immigrants' adaptation and integration into French society. The research is based on the example of Paris Muslim districts. The sources of the study are the French Republic normative legal acts, official statistics, media reports and interviews with immigrants. France is considered to be the most Islamized country in Europe. Most Muslims are immigrants (mainly from the Middle East countries and Maghreb), and they make up about 8-10 \% of the country's population. The number of inquiries for a shelter increases every year, so the number of immigrants to France (both legal and illegal) grows too. The number of illegal immigrants is much greater than of legal ones; in fact, illegal immigration is beyond any control. France could be called not only a receiving country, it is also a transit point for foreigners' flows to Germany and the UK. France pursues the ``new{''} French and potential citizens' integration policy. Citizenship is conferred based on jus soli in France. It means an automatic acceptance of republican values. A law has been adopted recently on the withdrawal of French citizenship for participating in terrorist activities because of the latest events and a huge number of terrorist attacks. The republican integration model means a complete assimilation. To be a citizen is to adopt republican values. Some Muslims are not ready to accept it. Many of them are trying to keep their ethno-confessional identity. In opposition, the country authorities forbid women's face covers as it contradicts the principles of a secular state. Several areas where mainly (c. 70 \%) Muslim immigrants live have appeared in Paris. First of all, these areas are the 10th, 11th, 19th and 20th arrondissements, Seine-Saint-Denis and Clichy-sous-Bois suburbs. They have an unfavorable social and economic situation: weapon and drugs trade, high crime and unemployment. All this becomes a catalyst for people's disturbance and unrest in the city. There are ``zones urbaines sensibles{''} in many cities of France, where the government pursues an economic policy to improve the situation. There are 157 zones like these in Paris. The authorities are trying to control and regulate relations with immigrants via a socio-economic policy: unemployment payments, favorable health insurance, child birth benefits. Many Muslims face discrimination when looking for a job or employing. There is also a conflict between the indigenous French and immigrants expressed in mutual incomprehension and antagonism. A situation like this has become possible because of the inconsistent and contradictory French immigration policy which does not work in the modern multicultural society any more. Thus, the main reason for Muslim zones emergence and its socio-economic disadvantage is the inconsistent and crude immigration policy. It leads to numerous conflicts and riots. The immigration policy should be based on a compromise, taking into account both separate groups of society and the state in general.