European Muslim websites can be a means that clearly shows the large spectrum of ideologies and attitudes among European Muslims. Consequently, these websites reflect the issue of representing Islam and Muslims in Europe.
There is diversity in the categories of these websites, for example, organizations’ websites, personal homepages, academic and research centers and interactive forums. However, by scanning most of the related links (topics, websites, and forums) in English, one can hardly find a comprehensive website that engages with the issues and debates of European Muslims.
In BIMA Conference, Bettina Graf stated in her paper “Sheikh Yusuf Al- Qaradawi in Cyberspace: Representing Trans-local Authority” that analyzing a website involves three levels: the operational level (place, financing, technology, producers, production process); the conceptual level (content, design, composition, services, interactivity); and the receptional level (popularity , frequency of visits, provenance of recipients).
This paper focuses on the concepts and their evolving existence, and analyzing the work of the websites on the conceptual level (content, design, composition, services, interactivity
From the first look you can find the colors of the European Union flag with its stars. They are reflecting how the founders of this online network see themselves as an integrated part of Europe. It is a very simple classical design. According to the website, there are certain characteristics and goals of the Network:
- demonstrating Islamic teachings and values
- gathering Muslim activists who share common concerns related both to the Islamic tradition and European societies
- exchanging ideas and thinking collectively
However, you can hardly find any interactive forum or tool to implement the goals mentioned online. Apart from the “useful link”, there are no services that the users can make use of to engage more with the website.
It is a British website seeking “the development of a distinct British Muslim identity; to assist the process of community cohesion.”. It shows how a website can effectively contribute to the enhancement of the work of a community organization.
The City Circle has two main activities:
- Hosting weekly events
-Community based projects
The design of the home page does not overemphasize affiliation to Europe by using the colors of the EU flag or any other symbol. The design is modern and simple with an attractive color. The main visual attraction is a graphic showing a modern facade of a glass skyscraper mirroring or reflecting the minaret of a mosque; apparently the graphic indicates the inter-cultural relations and the common public space between British Muslims and their fellow citizens.
Federation of the Islamic Organization in Europe
It is a multi-lingual website of an umbrella organization in which the most active parts are the Arabic and English sections. It is a well-organized and updated website.
In addition to the sections mentioned above, the Arabic department has a basic information section about Europe. This sounds logical as the Arab audience may need to know more about European institutions and convictions.
Visually, and similar to the Euro Muslim Network, the FIOE website uses the colors of the European Union flag but it emphasized the Islamic tenet more by using images of mosques and veiled women at the head of the design. I found putting the Saudi Arabian flag as a thumbnail to enter the Arabic department is a sign of reductionism.
There are no interactive forums or services to be found on the website despite the fact
that the FIOE has a lot of off-line activities and could make use of the interactive characteristics of the web to extend its services and platforms.
Most of the websites that have the titles or the topics of “European Muslims” or “Islam in Europe” are addressing the issues of integrating the Muslims, with their various ethnic origins as descendents of immigrants, into Europe. Unlike these websites, the Native European Muslims website focuses entirely on introducing the
indigenous European or so-called “white Muslims”.
The design of the website looks very primitive. Being native European, they do not use the EU flag to emphasize their loyalty; there is only a map of Europe at the heart of the home page. The left bar has two main sections:
- Euro Muslim Tribes
- Western Converts
It has two subsections: one for the men and the other for the women. Both of these subsections feature converts and their journeys to Islam.
In addition to the editorial sections, there is an interactive section called “Community Forum”.
Defending native causes and their manifestations, there are also multilingual forums in indigenous languages.
Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)
The (MCB) has a functional updated website. The Muslim Council of Britain is an umbrella body with over 500 affiliated national, regional and local organizations, mosques, charities and schools. The representative organization seems to depend widely on its website for the following:
- To declare its stances on various domestic and international issues
- To announce the activities of its active committees
- To promote its constructive projects
- To recruit volunteers and new members
The design of the website and the usage of the databases as well as the interactive tools assist in achieving the goals mentioned above.
The homepage covers the dynamics of the community’s daily activities with special focus on the MCB.
Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
Like the MCB website, the website of MAB highlights the news, events, press releases and activities organized by the members in addition to the women’s activities and the sections of the various branches. However, unlike the MCB website, it is not regularly updated.
According to their published vision, MAB aims to “promote and propagate the principles of positive Muslim interaction with all elements of society to reflect, project and convey the message of Islam in its pure and unblemished form”.
Salaam, the British Muslim website seems to be an independent website; not affiliated to any certain group or organization. This kind of independence may make Salaam a more dynamic and comprehensive website.
Salaam website considers the inevitable backgrounds; basic information about the British Muslims in a special folder consisting of the historical aspect as well as the current political one in addition to the “Who’s Who?” section featuring British Muslim activists and public figures ( men and women).
The Education and the Knowledge sections emphasize the concept of empowering the British Muslim community. The News section republishes stories from other sources but they are selected and highlighted carefully. There is an important Books section, consisting of reviews as well as “buy books” section at Salaam shop.
The website makes use of the latest web formats by having the Salaam group on Face Book. Furthermore, there is a specific section for blogs.
A unique section is “Inventory of arrests"; it is a database monitoring the consequences of the anti-terror laws and security measures that might violate human rights.
The design is modern and confident and the right bar has many advertising banners of community initiatives, publications and products.
Euro-Islam is a model of how academicians can approach the issue of integration and citizenship through a website. Euro-Islam intends to “to provide continuous information and analysis on the most important cultural and religious changes Western Europe is experiencing”. Euro-Islam uses a comparative methodology to explore different models between Muslims in Europe and America.
The News section is a selection from other sources classified by topic and country in addition to general news. Most of the Events section announces academic and prestigious conferences.
Being an informative analytical website, the Country Profiles section is very comprehensive and indicative. Our Research is another distinguished section summarizing the main ideas of new research projects and publishes the reports of old projects.
The design is a simple functional one but without any interactive facilities. The head
looks artistic using Islamic calligraphy.
Margins: Beyond Topology
- Being the voice of the voiceless and a harbor for marginalized groups, the internet is a perfect tool for “Native European Muslims” to advance their causes and introduce themselves, taking into consideration that they are relatively marginalized within the European Muslim community itself.
one of the City Circle founders and its moderator, previously stated that he disagrees with Tariq Ramadan because he jumps very quickly to the European level of identity and Birt is not convinced that Europeans are thinking that way because the national identity is still very strong.
Both Ramadan’s and Birt’s views are reflected in the structure and development of their websites. Ramadan by being involved in the “Euro Muslim Network” with its vision to connect Euro-Muslim experts and interested groups across Europe and Birt with the " City Circle” which he describes as a catalyst organization focusing on the British-ness of the Muslim community in the UK.
- website is relatively independent from on-the-ground political and organizational affiliations. Thus, their work online is more focused and they upgrade their interactive tools and services effectively.
- Being representative organizations, both the MCB and MAB websites reflect their model of integrating Muslims in British society and their stances on domestic and international agendas
- The design of any of the websites mentioned above tends to mirror their stances and their degree of confidence.
- Generally speaking, a great deal is yet to be done to make full use of the web characteristics and tools on Euro-Muslim websites.