Arabs in France
Total population | |
---|---|
6,000,000 in 2008 (~10% of France's population) [1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Paris, Marseille | |
Languages | |
French, Arabic | |
Religion | |
Majority Sunni Islam Minority: Agnosticism, Atheism, Shia, Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, Others |
Arabs in France are those parts of the Arab diaspora who have immigrated to France, as well as their descendants. Subgroups include Algerians in France, Moroccans in France, Mauritanians in France, Tunisians in France and Refugees of the Syrian Civil War. This French subgroup of Arabs in Europe are concentrated in the Maghrebi communities of Paris.
Demographics
French people of Arab and Amazigh/African origin (predominantly from Maghreb but also some from Mashreq areas of the Arab world) in France forms the second largest ethnic group after French people of French origin.
There are no official figures concerning the demographics of French people of Arab/African descent because ethnic statistics are forbidden in France.[2]
Most immigration was in 1960 and 1970, a period of economic growth, but many of them managed to bring their families after 1970. They have settled mainly in the industrial regions in France, especially the Paris region, but also in Marseille and other places.[2]
Notable people
Maghrebis
Many notable French people have Maghrebi ancestry since Arabs in France are predominantly Maghrebis.
Politics
- Arnaud Montebourg, politician, former Minister of the Economy, and candidate for the Socialist Party's presidential nomination
- Azouz Begag, sociologist and politician for various parties, e.g. Mouvement Démocrate
- Kader Arif, former Minister of Veterans and current Member of the European Parliament
- Bariza Khiari, Member of the French Senate (Socialist Party)
- Myriam El Khomri, Minister of Labor (Socialist Party)
- Rachida Dati, Member of the European Parliament, Mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris and former Minister of Justice (Union for a Popular Movement)
Writers
- Tahar Ben Jelloun, Prix Goncourt laureate
Media
- Karim Rissouli, TV presenter of political show C politique
- Cyril Hannouna, talk show host and television personality
Entertainment
Fashion
- Hedi Slimane, former head designer of Yves Saint-Laurent[3]
Cinema
- Tahar Rahim, actor
- Dany Boon, actor, comedian, and filmmaker
- Hafsia Herzi, actress
- Abdellatif Kechiche, filmmaker, actor and screenwriter; Palme d'Or laureate
- Roschdy Zem, award-winning actor
- Leïla Bekhti, actress
- Ismaël Ferroukhi, film director
- Kad Merad, award-winning actor, comedian, and film director
- Rachid Bouchareb, film director
- Nabil Ayouch, film director and producer
- Sabrina Ouazani, actress
- Jamel Debbouze, actor, comedian, film director
- Yasmine Belmadi, actor
- Ramzy Bedia, actor
- Salim Kéchiouche, actor
- Rayane Bensetti, actor
Music
- L'Algerino
- DJ Mehdi
- Cheb Khaled
- Wallen
- Amel Bent
- Amina Annabi
- Indila
- Najoua Belyzel
- Kayna Samet
- Lââm
- Chico Bouchikhi
- Rachid Taha
- Faudel
- DJ Abdel
- Freeman
- Rim'K
- Mister You
- Niro
- Tunisiano
- Ali
- Médine
- La Fouine
- Nessbeal
- Lacrim
- Kamelanc'
- Sinik
Sports
- Adil Rami, football player for AC Milan
- Samir Nasri, football player for Manchester City
- Mehdi Benatia, football player for Bayern München
- Hatem Ben Arfa, football player for Newcastle United
- Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad, middle-distance runner
- Bouabdellah Tahri, middle-distance and long-distance runner
- Zinedine Zidane, football player on the French National Team
Mashrekis
Many notable French people are of Mashreki ancestry mainly of Lebanese descent.
Politics
- Éric Besson, politician
- Élie Aboud, Member of the National Assembly (Union for a Popular Movement)
- Henri Jibrayel, Member of the National Assembly (Socialist Party)
- Antoine Karam, French Guiana's representative in the French Senate (Socialist Party)
- Serge Ayoub
Business
Scientists
Journalism
- Antoine Sfeir
- Léa Salamé, journalist and political commentator
Architecture
Writers
- Andrée Chedid, novelist; Prix Goncourt laureate
- Amin Maalouf
- Gilbert Achcar
Entertainment
Cinema
Music
- Matthieu Chedid
- RAmez
- Abdel Rahman El Bacha
- Warda Al-Jazairia
- Ibrahim Maalouf
- Louis Chedid
- Guy Béart
Fashion
Sports
See also
- Arab diaspora
- Demographics of France
- Berbers in France
- Racism in France
- Lebanese diaspora
- Syrian diaspora
- Tunisian diaspora
- Palestinian diaspora
- Moroccan diaspora
- Iraqi diaspora
- Egyptian diaspora
References
- ^ "French-Arabs battle stereotypes - Entertainment News, French Cinema, Media". Variety. 2008-01-29. Archived from the original on 2010-02-21. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ a b France's ethnic minorities: To count or not to count. The Economist (2009-03-26). Retrieved on 2013-07-12.
- ^ Moss, Hilary (2016-04-01). "10 Highlights from Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-12-10.