You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

'Muslims in Europe' lecture Thursday

By David Gonnerman '90
October 6, 2008

Chris Soper, professor of political science at Pepperdine University, will present his lecture, "Muslims in Europe: Singing God's Song in a Strange Land," Thursday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m. in Regents Hall 150. The event is free and open to the public.

Soper will speak about the differing ways in which various European countries deal with religious diversity. "What states view as equitable treatment for Muslim citizens and immigrants," he's written, "what they view as reasonable and just in terms of accommodating Muslim religious practices, and how governments pursue the twin policies of recognizing the religious rights of Muslims while insuring their effective incorporation into the values of the host country vary widely in Western Europe."

Soper teaches in the Political Science Department on topics related to American politics, environmental politics and constitutional law. He has co-authored and co-edited several books, including The Challenge of Pluralism: Church and State in Five Western Democracies, Equal Treatment of Religion in a Pluralistic Society, and Muslims and the State in Britain, France, and Germany.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.