Young British Muslims

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.

Young British Muslims is to be welcomed as an important contribution.--Russell Sandberg, Cardiff University "LSE Review of Books ", 'This timely study is the result of extensive research undertaken on the identity of young Muslims in both Australia and the UK. Kabir's style and approach are refreshingly clear and informative as she guides the reader through a considered analysis of her own ethnographic fieldwork, drawing upon interviews with over 200 Muslims in five British cities: London; Leicester; Bradford; Leeds; and Cardiff, - with a focus on biculturalism and multiple identities... Her study raises important aspects of the way young British Muslims are actively demystifying and dismantling misconceptions on the part of both Muslims and non-Muslims and that they have "the potential to be a tremendous asset to their home nation" (p.218).'--Jo Manby "Ethnicity and Race in a Changing World: A Review Journal ", A useful overview of issues relating to Muslims in Britain, with a particular focus on the political and media context of the last decade or more ... It is highly readable, with a clear structure and concise overview of significant socio-political issues ... A second strength can be found in the extensive qualitative material deployed to support more general discussions concerning familiar and high-profile political issues. The multiple voices of young Muslim participants in this study regularly shine through, highlighting the ways in which individuals form and express nuanced opinions, often on matters that are frequently simplified by mainstream discourse.--Carl Morris, Cardiff University "Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations ", Packed with insight ... this is a book which students would really relate to, and it is a mine of information for teachers... this excellent book effectively expresses the variety of positions held by British Muslims on important public issues.--Max Farrar, Emeritus Professor, Leeds Metropolitican University "Network: Magazine of the British Sociological Association ", The book projects the sense that its subjects are real people living real, contingent lives. This is conveyed by the author's decision to quote verbatim rather than edit segments of her respondents' discourse, and to include in her tabulation of her statistical findings key points consisting of their individual remarks ... The value of such an approach is that it resists the seemingly ubiquitous judgement that young Muslims are 'a problem' - unstable and potential terrorists.--Geoffrey Nash, University of Sunderland "European Journal of Cultural Studies "

Dr Nahid A. Kabir is Senior Research Fellow in the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding, Hawke Research Institute, University of South Australia. She is the author of Muslims in Australia: Immigration, Race Relations and Cultural History (London: Routledge 2005).