Global migration fuels the nexus between religion and politics. Living in Europe spring semester, and traveling throughout the region, I have experienced this dynamic relationship firsthand. As the world becomes more and more connected, capital cities have emerged as bustling centers of cosmopolitanism. Immigrants bring new identities, cultures, and religious practices to these modern urban spaces. They transform European cities like London, Paris, and Milan, injecting their own customs and faiths into the cityscape. International migration truly has enriched the interplay between religion and government by expanding the public arena. However, often this delicate relationship is strained by the constant influx of migrants and their individual beliefs. With immigration comes an implicit assault on established foundations and national traditions. Today, European governments face a constant struggle between citizens, residents, and refugees as they attempt to articulate balanced and comprehensive policy in an age of globalization.
London best illustrates immigrations dramatic impact on religion and politics in the European theater. As the former capital of the British Commonwealth, London has always been seen as a cosmopolitan destination. It has welcomed expatriates from all parts of the world, including those whose religious beliefs diverged from the Church of England. Walking along Brick Lane in East London on a university-sponsored field trip, I began to appreciate the city's unique position. The scent of incense and curry filled the air as I encountered a neighborhood of immigrants from the Indian subcontinent. Today, Brick Lane houses part of London's Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani population. The neighborhood caters to their individual religious practices. As a former enclave of European Jews, old synagogues ironically have been converted into makeshift mosques. Individual Hindu temples have sprung up throughout the city quarter. The metropolitan space is being quickly transformed.
At first glance all seems well, yet under the surface there remains unspoken tension. Many of these migrants have experienced difficulties while adjusting to their new surroundings, especially in relation to the current political agenda of the United Kingdom. To them, British legislation seems to target their faith, preventing them from freely practicing their beliefs. The threat of terrorism has sparked suspicion between the government and the Muslim community. To some of these immigrants, freedom of religion, while present, is often viewed as locally restrictive. Issues ranging from the banning of headscarves to the expanding role of women to the bombing of the London Underground have resonated with London's newcomers. There appears to be a growing rift between the country, its political foundations, and a growing group of international migrants.
Still, not all immigrants have been constrained by local politics. In fact many have benefited from their newfound freedom as members of the democratic process. Plying the skies above Switzerland, I met one of these individuals: immigrant Pradeep of Bangalore. Originally from India, Pradeep recently moved to Ipswich with his extended family. While Pradeep does admit that there are pockets of [immigrant] resistance in England as well as individuals who have been neglected by the political system, his experience has been excellent. He noted that with his religion, flexibility is the key. It has allowed his family to integrate their personal beliefs into the British Isles and strengthen their relationship with the country's political foundations.
Experiences of change and political challenges are not limited to the European continent. In addition to my experiences in London, my travels in the small country of Qatar further depict migration's connection with religion and politics. At the heart of the Persian Gulf, Qatar remains a stronghold of conservative Islam. Its citizens are provided a myriad of mosques throughout the city center, males dress in traditional thobs, and even the city's giant shopping malls indicate the proper direction towards Mecca. However, the majority of Qatar's population is neither Qatari nor Muslim. An imported immigrant workforce has reshaped the country's urban landscape. Hindu temples, religious shrines, and specialty food shops have cropped up throughout the migrants' compounds.
Today, only 40 percent of the country practices Islam, in comparison to its nearest neighbor Saudi Arabia, where over 90 percent of the population are Muslim. These dramatic changes in the religious makeup of the Emirate of Qatar have catalyzed political repercussions. Deportations, sanctions, and arrests have kept the immigrant community in line, yet change is rearing its head throughout the capital city of Doha. Western expatriates have also contributed to this process. While many women wear hijabs and cover themselves completely with burqas, the demographic composition of Qatar is changing. In centers of learning, such as Georgetown's own School of Foreign Service in Qatar's Education City, these transformations are multiplied to an even greater extent. Students come from all part of the Arab world and even countries beyond. They practice all levels of Islam and Christianity. They represent the changing tides of religion in the Doha. As Qatar moves into the twenty-first century, the country is beginning to understand the principles of cosmopolitanism. While there remains inherent tension, the country is redefining the intersection between religion and politics as it reforms its national identity.
Ultimately, the unique space between religious beliefs and political practice has been challenged in recent years. Throughout the European continent and even in the Middle East, immigrants have encouraged change by uncovering new issues and fostering dialogue. Alienation, both religious and political, has forced countries to reevaluate their traditional policies and adapt them for the future. A new strand of cosmopolitanism is being thread across the international landscape. The question is, will the fabric fray?
At first glance all seems well, yet under the surface there remains unspoken tension. Many of these migrants have experienced difficulties while adjusting to their new surroundings, especially in relation to the current political agenda of the United Kingdom. To them, British legislation seems to target their faith, preventing them from freely practicing their beliefs. The threat of terrorism has sparked suspicion between the government and the Muslim community. To some of these immigrants, freedom of religion, while present, is often viewed as locally restrictive. Issues ranging from the banning of headscarves to the expanding role of women to the bombing of the London Underground have resonated with London's newcomers. There appears to be a growing rift between the country, its political foundations, and a growing group of international migrants.
Still, not all immigrants have been constrained by local politics. In fact many have benefited from their newfound freedom as members of the democratic process. Plying the skies above Switzerland, I met one of these individuals: immigrant Pradeep of Bangalore. Originally from India, Pradeep recently moved to Ipswich with his extended family. While Pradeep does admit that there are pockets of [immigrant] resistance in England as well as individuals who have been neglected by the political system, his experience has been excellent. He noted that with his religion, flexibility is the key. It has allowed his family to integrate their personal beliefs into the British Isles and strengthen their relationship with the country's political foundations.
Experiences of change and political challenges are not limited to the European continent. In addition to my experiences in London, my travels in the small country of Qatar further depict migration's connection with religion and politics. At the heart of the Persian Gulf, Qatar remains a stronghold of conservative Islam. Its citizens are provided a myriad of mosques throughout the city center, males dress in traditional thobs, and even the city's giant shopping malls indicate the proper direction towards Mecca. However, the majority of Qatar's population is neither Qatari nor Muslim. An imported immigrant workforce has reshaped the country's urban landscape. Hindu temples, religious shrines, and specialty food shops have cropped up throughout the migrants' compounds.
Today, only 40 percent of the country practices Islam, in comparison to its nearest neighbor Saudi Arabia, where over 90 percent of the population are Muslim. These dramatic changes in the religious makeup of the Emirate of Qatar have catalyzed political repercussions. Deportations, sanctions, and arrests have kept the immigrant community in line, yet change is rearing its head throughout the capital city of Doha. Western expatriates have also contributed to this process. While many women wear hijabs and cover themselves completely with burqas, the demographic composition of Qatar is changing. In centers of learning, such as Georgetown's own School of Foreign Service in Qatar's Education City, these transformations are multiplied to an even greater extent. Students come from all part of the Arab world and even countries beyond. They practice all levels of Islam and Christianity. They represent the changing tides of religion in the Doha. As Qatar moves into the twenty-first century, the country is beginning to understand the principles of cosmopolitanism. While there remains inherent tension, the country is redefining the intersection between religion and politics as it reforms its national identity.
Ultimately, the unique space between religious beliefs and political practice has been challenged in recent years. Throughout the European continent and even in the Middle East, immigrants have encouraged change by uncovering new issues and fostering dialogue. Alienation, both religious and political, has forced countries to reevaluate their traditional policies and adapt them for the future. A new strand of cosmopolitanism is being thread across the international landscape. The question is, will the fabric fray?
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