One of the original causes of the riots was France's integration policy, eventhough the riots seem to have moved away from that.
There are basically two main integration policies used in the EU assimilation and the meltingpot.
The French use assimilation integration policies, basically when you immigrate to France you become French.
You loose your culture, because you're assumed to be French and your religion as France is a secular state.
You can still practise religion and try and maintain your culture mind you, but no attempts will be made to adapt society to it.
The French apparently don't even know exactly how big a part of their population consists of immigrants because of this.
This also means that you don't get any extra money spend on you as you're assumed to be a French citizen and not a "special case".
The UK for instance uses the melting pot integration policy.
You immigrate and are treated as someone who needs extra attention through extra schooling and housing.
You can keep your own culture, religion and bolt it onto the existing society.
New laws will eventually be passed to protect your heritage.
That's also a reason why the riots in Birmingham a couple of weeks ago never amounted to the scale of the Parisian riots, there are better lines of communication between the minorities and the state.
Because of this it was soon found that it was gangs responsible and they were dealt with quickly, mainly by community pressure groups.
Unlikely to happen in France though.
EDIT:
Just read an article on a Dutch newspaper website that the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper is under the impression that there is a Euro-Arab war raging across Europe
Got to love American media naivity at times...