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As issues of immigration and integration raise Europe's political temperature, this three-part series examines the history of Muslim immigration to France - a country where debate continues to rage over how to reconcile a long-standing tradition of secularism with religious diversity.

Today, there are an estimated five million Muslims living in France. A century ago, they were referred to as "colonials". During the 1960s, they were known as "immigrants". Today, they are "citizens". But how have the challenges facing each generation of immigrants changed?

The first part of the series tells the story of the 5,000 Muslims who by 1904 were working on the shop floors of Paris, in the soap factories of Marseilles and in the coalfields of the north; of the Muslim soldiers who fought and died for France during the First World War; and the Muslim members of the resistance who helped liberate Paris in 1944. Born as North Africans, many would die for France. But how much did post-war France care about their sacrifices?

shafique wrote:BM - you are the one that brought up herve. I notice that you and a few others seem to be developing an unhealthy obsession with my posts.. may I suggest again that you just put me on your foe list if you really are irritated by the posts I make.

Cheers,

Shafique

shafique wrote:Get it out of your system BM - let us know how you really feel about black people in train stations.

France: Muslim War Graves Attacked

Thirty war graves of Muslim soldiers who fought in World War I have been attacked and defaced in the southern city of Carcassonne.

Racist insults and swastikas were painted on the graves, which are identified by the Islamic symbols of the star and crescent.

Slogans including “France for the French” and “Arabs out” were painted on some of the gravestones, reported daily newspaper Le Figaro.

The graves of Muslim soldiers in the same graveyard were attacked earlier this year in September.

Abdallah Zekri, president of a body that monitors Islamophobia, condemned the attacks on the graves of soldiers who “died for France.”

He pointed to a “significant and very worrying increase in Islamophobia in France.”

He said such attacks are up by 34 percent in 2011. In November alone, these included six fires at mosques in the country.

The graves were cleaned and a religious ceremony to honour the dead is planned for Tuesday morning.

shafique wrote:Did I say CDG was a train station? There you go again, imagining things that weren't written.

shafique wrote:I notice that this is yet another thread where your only contribution is an off-topic post.

shafique wrote:You're welcome FD. (We'll let others decide whether either/both/neither are being sarcastic. )

shafique wrote:Chill out FD - take it easy.

shafique wrote:I condemn all acts of violence against innocents/civilians etc - regardless of nationality, religion, race etc.