A question troubles Europe: Is Islam essentially expansioniste and conquering? Yes, claim the Swiss iniators of the referendum against the construction of minarets. This expansionism is seen to be supported by a desire for political hegemony that is attributed sometimes to the very nature of the “Islamic ideology” (large families, conversions and conquest) and sometimes by the strategies of some of the actors (the “Islamists” and their “plans”). Youssef al-Qaradawi, the most popular among moderate Sunni sheikhs, seems to make them right when, on an Aljazeera TV program (Shari’a and Life) devoted to discussing the Swiss vote, he said the conquest will come about and all human beings will find themselves united by God’s word.

It is legitimate to question Islam. After all, like Christianity, it proclaims salvation for humanity and a final prophetic message. But concretely, what is “religious expansionism”? From the sociological point of view, it many be based on militancy (politics, propaganda, militarism) or on the development of religious faith and piety (a return to faith or the conversion of others) or on demography (a baby-boom bombe).   »»» Le Monde diplomatique)

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