Chapter 5: The Struggle For National Identity: Islam in Egypt, the Netherlands, and the United States

This chapter explores the relationship between Islam and national identity in three different countries: Egypt, a predominantly Muslim country, the Netherlands and the United States, two countries with a Muslim minority. In all three countries, Islam is considered to some extent as either a threat to national identity or a divisive issue that needs be addressed. In this chapter we examine the political and social context of Islam in each country as well as suggest an alternative discourse.