Europe has, according to the Pew Forum, about 38 million Muslims - about five percent of its population and that proportion will continue to increase. Yet, we are facing a growing mutual mistrust that leaves Europe on the verge of a dangerous rift.

One of the major cultural challenges that we face today is whether we can overcome the fear that difference and diversity will weaken national and social cohesion and succeed in building a Europe that is enriched by its different cultural identities.

In a continent progressively challenged by mixed identities, who is it with the identity crisis Europe, or Islam, or both? Are Europe and Islam reconcilable?

Does an increase in extremism, euroscepticism, islamophobia and a move back towards nationalism indicate that people are increasingly apprehensive of those who identify themselves in different ways?

These issues were addressed in a high-profile debate that was held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday 19th November and which was organised by the British Council in partnership with the European Muslim Network.