Changes

When immigrants failed to learn and speak the local language, tensions arose.  By the end of the 20th century, there was growing opposition in both the United States and Europe to the large amounts of immigration.   

When immigrants failed to learn and speak the local language, tensions arose.  By the end of the 20th century, there was growing opposition in both the United States and Europe to the large amounts of immigration.   

The EU removed most internal border patrols, so people now flow freely from one country into the next, such as from Austria into Germany.  The Muslim influx has been particularly high.  In past centuries, churches would play a central role in integrating the immigrants into the local activities and culture.  But churches, which have become largely empty in Europe anyway, cannot integrate the Muslim immigrants.  In France, a politician Jean-Marie Le Pen demanded tougher controls against immigration.  But the media then labeled him as a racist and he was badly defeated in the election for president in 2002.  But meanwhile Islam is overtaking the Christian French culture, as the mosques are more vibrant than the churches in France now.  In 2004, France desperately banned the wearing of the Muslim hijab (headscarf) girls in state schools.

The EU removed most internal border patrols, so people now flow freely from one country into the next, such as from Austria into Germany.  The Muslim influx has been particularly high.  In past centuries, churches would play a central role in integrating the immigrants into the local activities and culture.  But churches, which have become largely empty in Europe anyway, cannot integrate the Muslim immigrants.  In France, a politician Jean-Marie Le Pen demanded tougher controls against immigration, but he grew increasingly controversial when he trivialized the Holocaust and defended the Vichy puppet regime that was installed by the Nazis in France during the Second World War.  To the suprise of many he managed to qualify himself for the second round in the presidential elections of 2002, but eventually he was badly defeated by the incumbent Jacques Chirac.  But meanwhile Islam is overtaking the Christian French culture, as the mosques are more vibrant than the churches in France now.  In 2004, France desperately banned the wearing of the Muslim hijab (headscarf) girls in state schools.

Many European nations now face the controversy of whether to allow women to wear the Muslim coverings.  In late 2006, the Dutch government announced its plan to ban Muslim head coverings in all public places.  In Germany, many teachers are forbidden from wearing the hijab.  A Belgian town banned the burqa (full-body covering) and niqab (a veil that covers only the face) entirely from its streets.  In Britain, schools were allowed fire teachers for wearing face-coverings. Even in the Muslim country of Turkey, its military rulers have banned any wearing of the Muslim veil in public buildings since the 1920s, when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the modern Republic of Turkey.

Many European nations now face the controversy of whether to allow women to wear the Muslim coverings.  In late 2006, the Dutch government announced its plan to ban Muslim head coverings in all public places.  In Germany, many teachers are forbidden from wearing the hijab.  A Belgian town banned the burqa (full-body covering) and niqab (a veil that covers only the face) entirely from its streets.  In Britain, schools were allowed fire teachers for wearing face-coverings. Even in the Muslim country of Turkey, its military rulers have banned any wearing of the Muslim veil in public buildings since the 1920s, when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the modern Republic of Turkey.