Being Muslim in a Secular State: History, Sociological Realities, and Institutional Issues—the French Case

This chapter points out the original situation of Muslims in France, settled and established in a deeply secularized society, and facing one of the more secular European states. Different ways of being Muslim within the society are analyzed as well as the different religious currents observed in France. Finally, we focus on the main issue of governing Islam in the specific context of a state supposed to be neutral, protecting both freedom of religion and being separated from religious institutions.