Muslim Active Citizenship in the West

by Mario Peucker, Shahram Akbarzadeh

Overview

Muslim Active Citizenship in the West investigates the emergence and nature of Muslims’ struggle for recognition as full members of society in Australia, Great Britain and Germany. What actions have been taken by Muslims to achieve equal civic standing? How do socio-political and socio-economic factors impact on these processes? And how do Muslims negotiate their place in a society that is often regarded as sceptical – if not hostile – towards Muslims’ desire to belong?

This book sheds new light on Muslims’ path towards citizenship in Australia, Great Britain and Germany. Existing research and statistics on Muslims’ socio-economic status, community formation, claim-making and political responses, and the public portrayal of Islam are systematically examined. These insights are tested ‘through the eyes of Muslims’, based on in-depth interviews with Muslim community leaders and other experts in all three countries. The findings offer unique perspectives on Muslim resilience to be recognised as equal citizens of Islamic faith in very different socio-political national settings.

Pursuing an interdisciplinary and comparative approach, this book examines the country-specific interplay of historical, institutional, political, and identity dimensions of Muslims’ active citizenship and will be invaluable for students and researchers with an interest in Sociology, Religious Studies and Political Science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415790765
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/14/2016
Series:	Routledge Islamic Studies Series
Pages:	226
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mario Peucker is a researcher at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne. He has conducted research projects in Europe and Australia on marginalisation, citizenship and participation of minorities in the West and acted as a consultant on non-discrimination and anti-racism for national and international agencies.

Shahram Akbarzadeh is Research Professor of Middle East & Central Asian Politics and holds the prestigious ARC Future Fellowship. He is Deputy Director (International) at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalization, Deakin University, Australia, with an active research interest in the politics of Islam and the Middle East.

Table of Contents

Introduction Part I: Contextualising Muslim presence in Australia, the UK and Germany 1 History of Muslim Settlement 2 Demographic and Socio-Economic Context Part II: Policy Framework 3 Multiculturalism versus Differential Inclusion Part III: Exclusion and Othering of Muslims in the Media and Public Discourse 4 Media and Public Discourse 5 Perception and Responses Part IV: Active Citizenship 6 Mobilisation for Recognition 7 Collaboration 8 Patronising Exclusion 9 Conclusion