In Britain's highly politicised social climate in the aftermath of the 7/7 London bombings, this book provides an in-depth understanding of British Muslim identity through the following social constructs: migration history, family settlement, socio-economic status, religion and culture, and the wider societal environment. The author, Nahid Afrose Kabir, has carried out extensive research on young Muslims' identity in Australia and the UK. For this book, newly available in paperback, she conducted ethnographic fieldwork in the form of in-depth, semi-structured interviews of over 200 young Muslims in five British cities: London, Leicester, Bradford, Leeds and Cardiff. Kabir's careful analysis of interview responses offers insights into the hopes and aspirations of British Muslims from remarkably diverse ethnicities: Algerian, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Indian, Iranian, Iraqi, Kenyan, Lebanese, Libyan, Malawi, Mauritian, Moroccan, Nigerian, Pakistani, Palestinian, Singaporean, Somali, Sudanese, Syrian, Ugandan, Yemeni, and English, Danish and Scottish converts.
By emphasising the importance of biculturalism, the author conveys a realistic and hopeful vision for their successful integration into British society.
Foreword; Acknowledgements; List of Tables and Figures; List of Abbreviations; Glossary; Introduction; 1. The identity debate; 2. Muslims in Britain: An overview; 3. The religious and cultural dilemma; 4. To be or not to be British; 5. Is the media biased against Muslims?; 6. The niqab debate; 7. Indignation about proposal to include Shariah law in Britain; Conclusion: A humanitarian way forward; Bibliography; Index.