Crossroads Europe - Al Jazera.net

May 14, 2007

UPDATED ON:
MONDAY, MAY 14, 2007
16:19 MECCA TIME, 13:19 GMT

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Crossroads Europe

The face of Europe has been changing. There is the sound of Arabic, the sight of mosques and markets, the influence of the Islamic world apparent in the major cities and countries of Europe.

Islam is the fastest growing religion in Europe. While much of Europe’s native population is on the decline, the immigrant population is on the rise.

Europe finds itself at a crossroads, while a new Europe deals with societies that until recently were monolithic and monoreligious.

A four-part series on Al Jazeera English, Crossroads Europe, tries to take a look at the problems and promises of immigration. Hosted by Al Jazeera presenter Elizabeth Filippouli, it takes a look at the dynamics of this new Europe, through the eyes of the people who live there, through filmmakers who know the terrain.

Part One: Assimilation No, Integration Yes - the story of Malmo

Barang, an influential 22-year-old rap artist

Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy probes under the rosy image Sweden has historically had of a welcoming immigration policy to bring us the true picture of Muslims living in Malmo.

In the words of one Muslim leader, the Muslim community can integrate into the larger community - but will not lose its cultural and religious identity.

Obaid-Chinoy speaks to Barang, an influential 22-year-old rap artist from Rosengard; Malmo’s poorest and immigrant-populated district.

Barang feels his highly political lyrics are the best way to express his frustration at feeling excluded from Swedish society.

Smaller, more conservative mosques like this basement mosque are becoming popular
The hostility felt by some can lead to fierce tension with the police. Obaid-Chinoy encounters confrontation between Swedish officers and defiant Palestinian teenagers in Rosengard.

Despite this, and the district’s devastating unemployment rate of 90 per cent in some pockets, the city’s residents remain hopeful for change.

Part One airs on:
June 11 2007 at 0700GMT and 1430GMT
June 12 2007 at 0030GMT
June 13 at 0530GMT and 1930GMT
June 14 at 0300GMT and 0730GMT
June 15 at 0130GMT and 1330GMT
June 16 at 0230 and 1730GMT
June 17 at 0630GMT and 1900GMT