The Practical Dilemma of Tariq Ramadan’s “Euro – Islam”

ABSTRACT: The concept of “Euro-Islam” proposed by Tariq Ramadan aims to carve out a middle way that reconciles religious beliefs with national identity. Nevertheless, achieving a consensus between Europe and Islam is no simple task. On one hand, due to his unwavering stance in speaking up for Muslims, he has been jointly shunned by both the European left-wing alliance and right-wing populist parties. On the other hand, his modern interpretations of Islamic classics have breached the red lines of religious conservatives, sparking intense dissatisfaction and resistance from traditional Salafists. Under such a dual onslaught, the proposition of “EuroIslam” is facing ever more profound challenges. Currently, with the rise of populism in Europe, the social environment for Muslims to integrate has undergone drastic changes. New social movements, such as feminism, are hostile towards Ramadan, suspecting that his “doublespeak” masks his aspirations for political Islam. Moreover, Ramadan’s proposition has been criticized by other Islamic scholars as highly utopian. Compounded by the evident personal bias in the examples he cites, its credibility and persuasiveness have been significantly undermined.

KEYWORDS: Tariq Ramadan; Euro – Islam; Populism; Practical Dilemma