Marseille

France’s second largest city, Marseille is the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, which has an estimated population of 4.7 million. The region has the second highest representation of Muslims.

A Mediterranean port city, Marseille has long been one of the main gateways into France and is no stranger to migration. In the early 19th century, Marseille was a staging post for long-distance migration towards Africa and America. Towards the end of the century, many migrants ended their journeys and settled in the city. A large number of these were Italian.

Colonial workers and Armenian refugees formed the next migratory phase following World War I, as Marseille became a port of entry for migrant workers traveling to Europe. After World War II and during the process of decolonization, immigration from the Maghreb and later from Sub-Saharan Africa increased Marseille’s migrant population. In 2006, it was reported that 70,000 city residents were considered to be of Maghrebin origin, mostly from Algeria. The second largest group comes from the Comoros, totaling some 45,000 people.

Islam is the second largest religion practiced in the city. The number of Muslims is not known, as French public statistics do not classify people by religion. A 2001 survey of students in upper secondary schools estimated the Muslim population to be 30 to 40 percent of the generation that is now 25 to 35 years old.

The At Home in Europe: Muslims in Marseille report focuses on the 3rd arrondissement, an area close to the city center with a growing population of 44,650 inhabitants. This growth can be attributed to a high birthrate and incoming migration from other French regions and other countries. Poorer than the Marseille average, it is thought to be getting poorer. An old working class neighborhood, the 3rd arrondissement has a long history of welcoming newly settled populations.

The focus on the 3rd arrondissement allows for a more nuanced understanding of the interaction between residents and policymakers where Muslims form a higher proportion of the population than within the city or state as a whole. A study of the local level also examines whether these demographic circumstances at the district and neighborhood level have encouraged the development of practical solutions to social policies that respond to the needs and views of local Muslim populations.