This text emanates from a research project based at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), entitled ‘Forum for the Interdisciplinary Study of Christian–Muslim Relations in twenty-first Century Europe'. The project entailed a series of seminars, conferences and workshops which brought together scholars from all parts of Europe for rich discussion on the development of Christian–Muslim relations as we know them and on prospects for the future of Islam in Europe. The breadth of discussions in these gatherings is far too great to capture in a single text, but the contributions of all participants helped to shape the present volume: we would like to express our gratitude for this, as well as our thanks to Elizabeth Phocas for initiating this project, to Thanos Dokos and Christianna Karageorgopoulou for their involvement throughout, and to the devoted and hospitable ELIAMEP staff.

The chapters in this volume reflect a consensus amongst all the contributors in terms of their shared aim for the literature on Islam in Europe. Beyond this, though, each author presents a very distinct voice on his or her particular theme and also uses Muslim terminology, and spelling, in his or her preferred manner, explaining the use of certain terms as needed. Accordingly, we have not provided a glossary for the text as a whole and allow rather this element of diversity in the writing on Islam.