Xeno-racism and Extremism

Examining the Relationship between Xeno-racism and Extremism: Integration Patterns in Muslim populations in North America and Europe

Anti-immigration movements in both North America and Europe first articulated in the early 1990s have increased since the 9/11 terrorists attacks on US soil in 2001, the Madrid train bombings in 2004, the murder of Dutch film-maker Theovan Gogh in 2004, and the 7/7 bombings in London in the summer of 2005. Diaspora communities, especially Muslim immigrants in England, France and the Netherlands for example, have been subjected to what some have labelled as 'xeno-racism' - a form of institutionalized racism directed against foreigners irrespective of colour, but that bears all the hallmarks of demonization and exclusion typical of the 'old' forms of racism based on skin colour.

Although, historically, Canada has been better than most of the other industrialized states at embracing diversity, accommodating difference and integrating immigrants, Muslims have reported higher levels of discrimination based on religious beliefs than non-Muslims living in this country. Similarities among the experiences of Muslim immigrants in Europe and North America call for a comprehensive comparative study exploring the causes and forms of expression of xeno-racism and their relationship to integration patterns and possibly acts of extremism in countries of the two regions targeted in our proposed project.

Aims and objectives

To develop a detailed program of study including a common research approach and comparable data sources from each country so that a comparison of results is possible.