conference by noting the complexities surrounding issues of Muslims in the West: the weight of historical memory, the distortions of globalization, the media’s simplistic reductions and politicians’ instrumentalizations. Mr. Tlili proposed the consideration of a new “citizenship pact” that would take into account today’s diverse societies in defining the terms under which the integration of Muslim communities in the West should occur. Such a rethinking of the reciprocal obligations of state and citizens could offer hope for the future rather than further alienation. The mayor of Salzburg, Heinz Schaden, welcomed the conference participants and noted that Salzburg is a particularly appropriate site, as the city has the largest number of residents of non-European origin in the European Union and Islam is the second most popular religion in the city’s schools. Salzburg Global Seminar senior vice president and chief program officer, Edward Mortimer, added that conference participants had an important contribution to make in forging new relations of trust and mutual respect among people of different religions and cultures.
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Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Dr. Ursula Plassnik addressed the issue of building confidence among people of different
social, cultural, and economic backgrounds, so all can live harmoniously together. While Europe is already pluralistic in many ways, it is time for Europeans to ask some selfcritical questions regarding whether current policies support rather than stifle cultural differences. She mentioned the need to develop tools that prevent young Muslims from becoming stuck in a spiral of hopelessness. As for Muslim women, she noted that this group comprises women with a vast range of education levels, backgrounds, family situations, countries of origin, and personal orientations toward Islam. The challenges they face, including employment issues and battering husbands, are certainly not limited to the Muslim population. She closed by cautioning participants about the danger of indifference, which is frequently camouflaged as tolerance in Europe’s dealings with its Muslims citizens. Instead, she suggested we emulate the image of two extended hands: one extended toward Muslim communities in Europe and the other extended toward the Muslim world beyond Europe’s borders. The conference brought together 60 policy makers, community leaders, scholars, media professionals, and activists from Europe, North America, and the Arab world, including Muslims