{"id":39648,"date":"2026-05-05T10:51:47","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T08:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mesopolhis.fr\/?p=39648"},"modified":"2026-05-05T10:53:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T08:53:54","slug":"book-by-lucas-faure-muslim-humanitarian-ngos-in-france-governing-social-affairs-through-religion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mesopolhis.fr\/en\/blog\/2026\/05\/05\/book-by-lucas-faure-muslim-humanitarian-ngos-in-france-governing-social-affairs-through-religion\/","title":{"rendered":"Book by Lucas Faure: \u00abLes ONG humanitaires musulmanes en France. Gouverner le social par le religieux\u00bb.\u00bb"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lucas Faure<\/a>, Muslim humanitarian NGOs in France. Religious governance in the social sphere<\/em>, Le Cavalier Bleu Editions, collection Mimed<\/a>, February 2026, 312p. (ISBN: 979-10-318-0827-7)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Presentation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the 2010s, Muslim humanitarian NGOs have emerged as the most dynamic players in the Muslim community: they are involved in local solidarity networks through a range of activities (food distribution, outreach work, emergency accommodation, educational support, administrative assistance, etc.), while at the same time running international humanitarian programmes.
Through its socio-historical and ethnographic approach, the book sheds new light on Islamic humanitarianism in France, in a secularised, minority and competitive environment marked by state interventionism. Immersing ourselves in the heart of Islamic humanitarianism gives us a concrete insight into the activities of these NGOs, breaking with the common representations associated with the subject. Contrary to the republican rhetoric which stigmatises denominationalism, the State delegates to Muslim NGOs a particularist management of Muslim publics. Recognition in the name of denominational usefulness is countered by denominational stigmatisation, which places Muslim humanitarian NGOs in a relationship of useful subordination to the State. A paradoxical injunction is therefore issued to Muslims, who have to be \u00abMuslim but not too Muslim\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucas Faure has a doctorate in political science. His research was awarded the 2024 MMSH Aix-en-Provence thesis prize<\/a> and the R\u00e9my Leveau 2025 Prize from the GIS Middle East and Muslim Worlds on Islam in France and Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Link to the book<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Introduction: Muslim but not too Muslim<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Methodology: ethnographic immersion in French Muslim NGOs<\/em>
Islamic humanitarianism: an overview
Governing the social by the religious: a political sociology of the links between the State and Islam
Demonstrating \u00abgood faith\u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The birth of Islamic humanitarianism in Europe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u00abOut of sight, out of mind\u00bb: informal solidarity in the context of migration (1950-1980)
The formation of European Muslim diasporas and the globalisation of aid (1981-2000)
The deployment of a European Muslim humanitarian (2001-present)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00abSweeping in front of one's own door\u00bb. Promoting local and patriotic Islamic charity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Overcoming the classic opposition between the French and British cases
From global to local: how should aid be prioritised?
A patriotic Muslim humanitarian<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Constrained loyalties: Muslim NGOs and public authorities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Divided Muslim humanitarian movements
\u00abAttesting\u00bb and \u00abcontesting\u00bb: relational positions
A paradox of state delegation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Politics through humanitarianism: Muslim humanitarian leaders<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Humanitarianism: social properties and biographical availability
De-politicising humanitarian aid to ensure long-term commitment
Cumulative learning from political constraints<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00abFissabililah has a good back\u00bb. Gender logic in Islamic humanitarian aid<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Why get involved?
Being a veiled employee of a Muslim NGO: professional emancipation through humanitarian work<\/em>
A career in humanitarian aid<\/em>
Fair pay\u00ab for humanitarian work
From salaried employment to voluntary work: the need for \u00abfree work\u00bb?<\/em>
The NGO start-up: a place for professional and religious fulfilment
The director of the SIF branch in Lyon: internal control of a \u00abgood\u00bb religiosity<\/em>
Humanitarian aid: a restrictive refuge for women<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00abNo religion outside the truck\u00bb. Donation, Islam and public space<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From the urban fringes to town centres: a distant public space
Achieving neutrality in the eyes of all
An assignment that sticks to your skin
The difficulty of managing an affinity audience<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

NGOs at the public authorities' bedside
Mobilising in the shadow of the secular norm
The carrot and the stick: a pattern set to extend beyond Muslim NGOs?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appendix
Bibliography<\/p>\n\n\n\n