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With a large and steadily growing Muslim immigrant population in Europe, many people are questioning whether there will be a smooth transition for this community into European society.

Mario Scialoja, the former Ambassador of Italy to Saudi Arabia, led a discussion on Thursday in Royce Hall on the contemporary situation of Muslim immigrants in Europe. The event was sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies and was attended by UCLA faculty, students and members of the Canadian, Romanian, French, Turkish and Italian consulates.

Issues raised were the contemporary situation of Muslim immigrants in Europe and the question of their ability to adapt into European society.

These questions echo similar ones raised about the Jews hundreds of years ago during the Enlightenment.

“Muslims are deemed by many as alien, uncultured and oriental much as the Jews were hundreds of years ago,” said David Myers, director of the Center for Jewish Studies.

Scialoja said Muslims are sometimes treated differently than other Europeans.

“If an Italian man beats his wife, the police question whether he was drunk or mentally imbalanced, but if a Muslim man does, Islam is blamed,” said Scialoja, an Italian Muslim.

Scialoja, discussed the divided opinions of Europeans in the face of new immigrants, 50 to 60 percent of which are Muslim.

“Some observers thought that the greater impact would be on Islam rather than Europe. ... They said (it) might push Islam in a more moderate direction worldwide. Others (said) that xenophobia and hostility might push Islam into a defensive position exacerbating tensions between Islamic nations and the West,” he said.

The problems surrounding the reception of Muslim immigrants in Europe raise issues surrounding the reception of all immigrants into western societies. It is not certain what would be more suitable for Europe: assimilation, multiculturalism or an intermediate model, Scialoja said.

“Just because you move to another country you don’t have to give up your culture and traditions. Forcing conformity is not the solution” said Faryal Humkar, a member of the Muslim Student Association of UCLA.

“Islam says obey the rulers of your country but at the same time we want to preserve our values,” said Amro Gaber, also a member of MSA.

Despite all the issues raised, a prevalent issue seems to be insuring a peaceful society in countries that are becoming increasingly multi-ethnic and multi-religious.

“It is a complex matter that cannot be resolved overnight. A discussion like this draws attention to the underlying issue of the extent to which societies allow for religious diversity,” said Carol Bakhos, assistant professor of Late Antique Judaism and Jewish Studies.

“The integration of Muslims into European society will take time – especially now after Sept. 11,” Scialoja said. “We have to learn to accept foreigners and what is alien to us and see it as an enrichment.”