Some statistics to challenge stereotypes. Less than a quarter of the world's Muslims live in the Middle East.
By percentage, Russia has by far the largest Muslim population in Europe. For all the ballyhoo about the Muslims taking over France, adherents of Islam only make up 6% of the French population.
The difference is, of course, that most Muslims in Russia have lived under Russian control for generations, while Muslims in Western Europe are mostly immigrants. Furthermore, these immigrants tend to flock towards major cities, making them much more publicly visible, and thus, more controversial.
By percentage, Russia has by far the largest Muslim population in Europe. For all the ballyhoo about the Muslims taking over France, adherents of Islam only make up 6% of the French population.
The difference is, of course, that most Muslims in Russia have lived under Russian control for generations, while Muslims in Western Europe are mostly immigrants. Furthermore, these immigrants tend to flock towards major cities, making them much more publicly visible, and thus, more controversial.
