Their names are Mourad, Samira, Karim, Sandrine, and Vincent. They were born and raised all over France, and most of them have higher education. However, they decided to settle in London, Dubai, New York, Casablanca, Montreal, or Brussels due to discrimination in the labor market, being stigmatized by their religion or their name. Due to their origin, these French people of Muslim culture or faith find social advancement abroad that was denied to them in France. They also find there the “right to indifference”, which allows them to simply feel French.
Based on a quantitative sample of more than 1,000 people and 140 in-depth interviews, this unprecedented sociological survey in France reveals a phenomenon that silently affects French society for the first time. The book generated widespread debate in The New York Times, The Times, The Guardian, and other respected newspapers worldwide. Through interviews with these minority elites, the research details their upbringing, experiences as Muslims, reasons for leaving France, choice of destinations, settling and living abroad, perspective on France, and prospects of returning.
Professor Olivier Esteves, a French professor at the University of Lille specializing in Britain, ethnicity, and migration, led this research along with two other researchers. Their work sheds light on the impact of Islam, religion, and racism on the French election campaign, especially in the context of the rising National Rally. The research explores how anti-Islamism and anti-Semitism have become key issues in the campaign, the identity crisis facing France, and the implications of these debates on the French society.
The study also delves into the impact of secularism on integration, mixing, and identity within France, highlighting the issues faced by French Muslims in the country. The brain drain of French Muslims to other countries due to discrimination, lack of opportunities, and societal prejudices is examined, highlighting the loss of economic dynamism, cultural diversity, and democratic values in France. The research poses critical questions about the French state’s approach to secularism and its impact on religious minorities in France.