Muslim Women’s Political Participation in France and Belgium

Acknowledgements
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
	1.1 Aims and Book Structure
	1.2 Defining the Criteria
		Defining Muslim
		Defining Political Participation
	1.3 Data Collection
	References
2 Motivations: What Motivates Muslim Women to Participate in Politics?
	2.1 ‘European Islam’
		What Does ‘European Islam’ Mean to You?
			France
			Belgium
			Comparing Perceptions and Identification with European Islam
		‘European Islam’ and Motivation to Participate in Politics
			France
			Belgium
			Comparing the Role of ‘European Islam’ in Motivating Political Participation
	2.2 Alternative Motivations
		Efficacy
		Experiences
		Social Justice
		Identity
	2.3 Conclusions
	References
3 Opportunities: Where Do the Opportunities for Muslim Women to Participate in Politics Lie?
	3.1 Political Opportunity Structures
		French POS
		Belgian POS
		Comparing French and Belgian POS
	3.2 Reported Opportunities for Political Participation
		Comparing Reported Opportunities for Participation in France and Belgium
	3.3 Conclusions
	References
4 Barriers: What Limits Muslim Women’s Participation in Politics?
	4.1 Secularism and Muslim Women’s Dress
		France
			What Does Secularism Mean to French Muslim Women Who Participate in Politics?
			How Does Visible ‘Muslimness’ Influence Political Participation?
			Managing the Headscarf Barrier
			The Invisible Headscarf
			Secularism, Muslim Women’s Dress and Political Participation in France: Conclusions
		Belgium
			Perceptions of Secularism Among Belgian Muslim Women Who Participate in Politics
			The Headscarf as a Barrier to Political Participation in Francophone Belgium
	4.2 Further Barriers to Muslim Women’s Political Participation
		Religious Affiliation and Practice
		Ethnic Difference
		Gender
		Socioeconomic Status and Resources
		Fear of Instrumentalisation
		The Muslim Community
	4.3 Conclusions
	References
5 Conclusions
	5.1 What Motivates French and Belgian Muslim Women to Participate in Politics?
	5.2 Where Do Muslim Women in France and Belgium Encounter Opportunities to Participate in Politics?
	5.3 What Limits Muslim Women’s Political Participation in France and Belgium?
	5.4 Final Remarks
	References
Index