Incivility and danger: theorizing a Muslim undercaste in Europe

Abstract Positing Muslim positionality in Europe as an undercaste helps to make sense of how cultural stratification, rooted associations with incivility, has resulted deep and unrelenting inequalities experienced by diverse Muslims. Based on two years ethnographic research a community Berlin well survey secondary research, this paper both theorizes empirically showcases the process which Muslims have become synonymous affects opportunities inclusion across educational, economic, residential, private spheres. By drawing parallels other instances caste-based status differentiation West, specifically Jewish experience Black USA, it further illuminates stratification through incivility (as modern secular coding impurity) that endures for generations functions contemporary world. Employing concept caste deepens turn replaced economic or legal explanations marginality Europe. And awakens dormant sociological vocabulary allows more precise theoretical understanding empirical social phenomenon thereby possibilities—and limits—of pluralism modernity.