Setting up a System of Benchmarking to Measure the Success of Integration Policies in Europe (European Parliament, 2007) proposes an effort to build on the strengths of Europe by protecting diversity and fostering greater equality. Whether or not a Europe-wide benchmarking system is actually put into place, states and European agencies are moving in this direction as they develop complex sets of indicators alternative to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We have applied the goals and strategies of the benchmarking concept to the task of examining the well-being of Muslims in four European states, focusing on the eight key areas of life specified by the Council of Europe (2003). In these states, as in Europe as a whole, Muslims represent a significant and salient dimension of the population politically, socially, economically, culturally and demographically. Without a reconsideration of official data gathering strategies, steps toward benchmarking minority integration in Europe will founder. Efforts to improve the well-being of minorities will ignore the special problems of Muslims in many European states for lack of conceptualization of the religious group as a minority in need of protection, and the resulting absence of accurate information about them. From their actual percentage of the population, to their trust in the justice and political systems, official data tell us little about Muslims in most European states.

Recognition of the European religious minority

Our look at several existing data sources suggests that much is to be learned by benchmarking Muslim well-being in Europe, and that what is learned is likely to undermine prejudices. The goal of the benchmarking process is to reduce disparities and polarizations within European populations, and thereby promote well-being in the key areas of life (Council of Europe 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005). Using unofficial, quasi-official and official data sources gathered within France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, we have demonstrated the utility of benchmarking in comparing Muslims and non-Muslims on these key areas of life.