Berkley Center

After an interesting discussion in a class called Sociology of the Islamic World, during which we talked about the integration of Muslim immigrants in Spain, I began to see that Spain has a unique relationship with Islam, which is now the second most practiced religion in the country. Although the predominantly Catholic country is dealing with an identity crisis similar to those of other European countries due to a recent influx of Muslim immigrants, Spain more so than other occidental countries has had a dynamic history with the religion of Islam.

From the lengthy period of Islamic presence (711 CE-1492 CE) in the country to the recent influx of Moroccan immigrants, the image of Islam in this country can be best described as ambiguous. On the one hand, the Islamic legacy is evident in the rich cultural displays of art, architecture, music, and dance in Spain. On the other hand, the remembrance of the March 11, 2004 bombings of Madrid’s regional trains by supposed Moroccan affiliates of Al-Qaeda has provoked displays of Islamophobia and has colored the views that many Spaniards have towards the fairly recent surge in Muslim immigrants in the country.

In comparison to other countries that are part of the Western world, Spain is fairly tolerant towards those who practice Islam within the country, perhaps due to its Islamic past. For example, in 1992 Spain established a legal framework for the recognition of Islam in the country, which is essentially an agreement between the Spanish state and the Islamic Commission in Spain. Even though other European countries such as France have a significantly larger Muslim population, this agreement on the part of the Spanish government shows a greater recognition and toleration of Islam. In addition, Spain’s effort to integrate Islam into its cultural identity is visible in the European-Islamic University in Granada, which was founded in 1996. In fact, there are over 200 Muslim associations registered in Spain, which indicates a dense Islamic network compared to other European countries.

However, the current presence of Islam in the country is rather distinct from its Moorish past, and Spain is currently attempting to redefine its relationship with a new Muslim population. The majority of Muslims in the country are North African immigrants of low socioeconomic status who began to arrive in the 1970s and continue to arrive in waves, both legally and illegally. Especially after the 2004 train bombings in Madrid, there have been incidents of Islamophobia in the country, and Muslim immigrants have often been treated as second-class citizens. Petty crime is a salient issue in Spain, and I’ve noticed after talking to Spaniards that the issue is tied to religion and Moroccan immigrants. They therefore assign a negative connotation to Islam as well as associate those who practice it with delinquency.

One issue with regard to Islamic identity in Spain has particularly piqued my interest. On the metro in Madrid, I’ve seen several women wearing the veil in public. Since the arrival of Muslim immigrants in Spain is more recent than it is in other European countries, Spain lacks legislation with regard to public displays of religion. However, there have been a few isolated controversies over whether Muslim girls can wear the veil to public Spanish schools. In a 2007 survey carried out by the Spanish newspaper El País, 74 percent of readers were in agreement with banning the display of religious symbols such as the veil in schools as other European countries have done.

The topic of wearing the veil in public life was discussed in one of my classes, and after a candid discussion with Spanish students and the professor, we noted the distinction between how many European countries have dealt with religious plurality and how the United States has approached the subject. The Islamophobia that Spain has experienced certainly exists in the United States, but my professor pointed out that the idea of banning the veil in the classroom would hardly be considered in the United States due to the importance that is placed on freedom of expression. Because the image of Islam has been a controversial topic of discussion in the Western world, it has been interesting to observe and hear about how Islam and Muslim citizens are viewed in Spain, especially in a country with such a unique Islamic past.