Romain Bertrand

France

Perceptions of and attitudes toward Political Islam are different in Europe and in Asia. However, policy makers and governments in the two regions are confronted with the same key questions. What place could be reserved for religion in general, and for Islam in particular, in modern political life? What are or should be the relationship between State and religion ? What are the key challenges posed by Political Islam? How does Political Islam manifest itself in Asia and Europe and what are the differences and similarities in the way Europe and Asia are dealing with these challenges?

The majority of countries in Europe are indeed "minority Muslim countries", with a small percentage of their national population professing Islam as a faith and/or a way of life. In Asia, there are a number of "majority Muslim countries", which include countries whose constitution is officially premised on Islamic tenets. In several Asian countries, there also exist Islamist groups and political parties that seek a bigger role for Islam in the State. Most of these groups and political parties are in fact legitimate and exist within the legal framework. They also accept the principle of peaceful competition to gain political power and do not wish to confront nor destroy the State, but only to "seize it" through democratic or constitutional means. But there also exist extremist groups that would employ illegal means to wrest control of the State.