Mosques Controversies in the United States: Emotions, Politics and the Right to Religious Freedom

Annuaire Droit et Religions, Vol. 6, 2012

12 Pages Posted: 15 Jan 2013

See all articles by Pasquale Annicchino

Pasquale Annicchino

Università di Foggia

Nadia Marzouki

European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS)

Date Written: 2012

Abstract

In the last decade the number of mosques in the United States has considerably grown from 1209 to 1925. As shown by sociologist Akbar Ahmed, there is an important diversity among American mosques, in terms of size, ethnic background, theological teaching, proselytizing strategy. While most mosques and Islamic centres are built without encountering any opposition from local community, a few controversies have recently attracted a lot of media and public opinion attention. Rather than an exhaustive survey of all the mosque debates, this article analyses the most important specific type of arguments that were made by participants in such controversies. In particular, it examines the extent to which the relevance and the legitimacy of the liberal language of rights seems challenged by a growing part of the American public, that puts forward notions of appropriateness, sensitivity, and nationalism.

Keywords: Religious Freedom, Islam, Mosques, United States

Suggested Citation

Annicchino, Pasquale and Marzouki, Nadia, Mosques Controversies in the United States: Emotions, Politics and the Right to Religious Freedom (2012). Annuaire Droit et Religions, Vol. 6, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2200343

Pasquale Annicchino (Contact Author)

Università di Foggia ( email )

FG 71121
Foggia
Italy

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.giurisprudenza.unifg.it/it

Nadia Marzouki

European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS) ( email )

Villa La Fonte, via delle Fontanelle 18
50016 San Domenico di Fiesole
Florence, Florence 50014
Italy

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