, for example, has spoken of the rise of a \u2018European Islam,\u2019 which anchors Islamic principles to the cultural reality of Western Europe. I fully support this notion, as long as this new Islam shares without reservation the values, beliefs, and memories of Europeans (including recognition of Israel\u2019s right to exist). Unfortunately, when I expressed this to Ramadan in a debate years ago, he remained silent.<\/span><\/p>\nThe challenges that may arise when incorporating Islam into Europe\u2019s already-diverse societies do not, in any sense, mean that Muslims cannot be trusted to lead well. Yet some, particularly in France, are now warning that Khan\u2019s election is the first step toward a not-too-distant future in which Muslims impose Islamic law on European countries, a scenario made vivid by Michel Houellebecq\u2019s latest novel, <\/span>Submission. <\/span><\/i>(The book, however, can be interpreted less as a prediction of a Muslim takeover than as a criticism of French political correctness, which seems to adhere to the mantra, \u2018Anyone but the National Front.\u2019)<\/span><\/p>\nThe implications of Khan\u2019s election are likely to contradict the bigots and fear mongers. Indeed, beyond acting as a slap in the face to Europe\u2019s populist forces, Khan\u2019s victory will deal a blow to the \u201cIslamic State\u201d (ISIS), which for the purpose of recruitment depends on young European Muslims\u2019 feelings of humiliation, marginalization, and failure.<\/span><\/p>\nWith a Muslim as Mayor of London\u2014<\/span>a great Western city, which has suffered brutal terrorist attacks\u2014it will be that much harder for jihadists to convince potential recruits in the West that their governments and societies are seeking to repress them. If young Muslims can succeed in the West, why would they give up their lives for ISIS, which is already losing ground in Iraq and Syria?<\/span><\/p>\nOf course, Muslim success stories like Khan\u2019s remain too few and far between. But there is much to be gained from recognizing, publicizing, and multiplying them. This would probably be easier to achieve in Britain than in France, which remains fixated on <\/span>la\u00efcit\u00e9<\/span><\/i> (the absolute separation of church and state that is at the core of French republican identity).<\/span><\/p>\nIn short, by rejecting Islamophobia and reiterating their belief in the values of an open society, Londoners have dealt a blow to Islamists. But it would be dangerous to overestimate the implications of Khan\u2019s election.<\/span><\/p>\nFor one thing, London is hardly representative of the entire United Kingdom, much less the rest of Europe or the West as a whole. The city is more cosmopolitan than New York, as culturally dynamic as Berlin, and much more self-confident than Paris. It is exceptional in its energy and openness. If only Londoners were to vote in the June 23 referendum, they would most likely choose to remain in the EU, despite the Union\u2019s flaws.<\/span><\/p>\nFor another, London\u2019s openness and confidence is dependent, at least partly, on economic growth and prosperity. After all, it is far easier to share a large and growing pie. The \u201cPolish plumber\u201d who contributed so clearly to the beautification of London starting in the early 1990s was an economic asset, never a threat, and at least indirectly paved the way for workers from other countries and cultures.<\/span><\/p>\nNonetheless, the openness of Londoners\u2014especially at a moment when so many of their Western counterparts are being tempted by bigotry\u2014is worthy of celebration. Rather than answering fear with more fear, they elected the better candidate, regardless of religion. That is how it should be.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u2018I feel so proud of my city,\u2019 my interlocutor says, referring to the election of the first Muslim, Sadiq Khan, as Mayor of London. She is Catholic, though she identifies first and foremost as British. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":474,"featured_media":26925,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1012,837,895,141],"class_list":["post-26921","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-daesh","tag-isis","tag-islamic-state","tag-united-kingdom"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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