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This book presents an overall presentation and discussion of developments ever since Islam appeared on the European stage thirteen centuries ago. The events and stories presented increase the understanding of present debates on, and notions of, Islam and Muslims in Europe. This book shows that in the course of thirteen centuries the Muslim as well as Islam have undergone many metamorphoses. The Muslim has entered the European stage as a conqueror, antichrist, scholar, benign ruler, corsair, tradesman and fellow citizen. The image of Islam has meandered accordingly, as a religion that was feared as an enemy or embraced as a partner against heretical Christians, despised as an abomination or admired as a civilization, and studied for missionary, academic, colonial or security purpose.

Abstract
This article aims to take a new approach to the study of Islam in Europe today by adopting a historiographical method with particular emphasis on the concept of temporality. The case-study will be The Netherlands, where it will be shown that a convergence of events in the year 2004 has contributed to the shaping of the national experience of 'Islam'. It will be argued that these events, and the manner in which they took place, have created a national traumatic experience that has fossilised the way the Dutch have talked and thought about Islam since then.