Islam in the Anglosphere : Perspectives of Young Muslims in Australia, the UK and the USA

Using semi-structured interviews with 122 young Muslims in Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) from diverse ethnic backgrounds, this book investigates the lived reality of young Muslims from their own perspectives. It explores their ideas of key Islamic and secular issues, their struggles, world views, triumphs, how the stigmatized group negotiates their identity in these three English language speaking Western countries, 20 years after 9/11. The key aspect of this book is to transcend binaries and reductionisms by exploring what Muslims actually think and say rather than intellectual articulations on them. The book presents a very detailed account of these young Muslims in the Anglophone West on their political beliefs, their knowledge and understanding of sharia law, their interest and participation in local and transnational political activism, their positive and negative feelings about their own communities, and indeed how they define their community. Ihsan Yilmaz is Research Professor and Chair of Islamic Studies at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. He is also a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at Oxford University's Regent College and the European Center for Populism Studies, Brussels. Previously, he worked at the Universities of Oxford and London and has a strong track record of leading multi-site international research projects funded by the Australian Research Council, Victorian and Australian Governments, and Gerda Henkel Foundation. He has been working on various topics including Muslim diasporas in the West, authoritarianism, digital authoritarianism, populism, and religion and politics with special emphasis on Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan Contents 1 Transcending Orientalism, Islamophobia, and Victimhood 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Going Beyond the Limitations of Orientalism, Islamophobia, and Victimhood 1.3 Research Method 1.4 Structure of the Book References 2 Young Muslims and Living with Discrimination in the Anglosphere 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Lived Reality—A Part of Life 2.3 Micro Acts of Discrimination and ‘Othering’ as Part of Daily Life 2.4 The Impact of Changing and Far-Right Politics on the Treatment of Muslims 2.5 The Impacts of Islamophobic Policies on Society’s Attitudes Toward Muslims 2.6 Role of Media, Islamophobia, and the Roots of Misconception 2.7 A Desire for Alternative Media and Narratives About Muslims 2.8 The Possibility to Enact Change on Social Media 2.9 Discrimination at School and University 2.10 Discrimination at Workplace 2.11 Discrimination in Public Spaces 2.12 Gender 2.13 Justifications for, or Downplaying of, Discrimination 2.14 Super “Normal” 2.15 Ambassadors of Islam 2.16 Defiance 2.17 Social Distancing 2.18 Conclusion References 3 Multilayered Identity of Young Muslims in the Anglosphere 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Existing Literature of Muslim Identity in the West 3.3 Multiple Identities: Fluidity and Harmony 3.4 Multiple Identities: Clashes 3.5 Western Home and Identity 3.6 Human Rights and Liberal Freedoms 3.7 Greater Freedoms for Women 3.8 Disconnection with Western Country 3.9 Maintaining Connection with Countries of Origin 3.10 Identity Through Entertainment Media 3.11 Conclusion References 4 Young Muslims in the Anglosphere and Expression of Faith 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Muslims’ Relationship with Islam 4.3 Participant’s Relationship with Religion 4.4 Religion as Identity 4.5 Consultations with Imams 4.6 Going Online to Engage with Faith 4.7 Interfaith Engagement 4.8 Conclusion References 5 Sharia and Young Muslims in the Anglosphere 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Literature on Sharia in the West 5.3 Advocating for Sharia in the West 5.4 Sharia Laws Are not Culturally Relevant in Modern Society 5.5 Sharia Was Designed Solely for Muslim Majority Societies 5.6 Conclusion References 6 Engagement Inside Home (Australia/UK/USA) Country 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Muslims and Engagement with Society 6.3 Local Community Volunteering and Associations 6.4 Volunteer Work via Mosque 6.5 Socializing Within Mosque and Faith Associations 6.6 Participation and Volunteering Outside of Faith Community 6.7 Generational Gaps: Distancing from the ‘Community’ 6.8 Religious and Ethnic Communities Are Too Insular 6.9 Widening Gaps Between New and Older Generations of Muslims in the West 6.10 Problematic Gender Perceptions and Attitudes Within the Community 6.11 Discriminatory Attitudes Within the Community 6.12 Conclusion References 7 Transnational Engagement of Young Muslims: The Global Citizen 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Country of Origin 7.3 Identifying and Connecting with Issues in the Muslim World 7.4 Keeping Up-To-Date and Connected with Muslim World Politics 7.5 Global Citizen and Keeping Informed of International News 7.6 Forming Connections with Others Around the World 7.7 The Ability and Desire for Young Muslims to Create Change 7.8 Taking Action 7.9 Transnational Charity Work 7.10 Conclusion References 8 National, Transnational, and Global Political Participation of Young Muslims 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Muslims and Political Participation 8.3 Democracy 8.4 Democracy Beyond Borders 8.5 Voting and Running for Office 8.6 A Belief or Feeling of Duty in Voting 8.7 Disinterest or Disenchantment in Voting 8.8 Running for Office and Muslim Representation in Politics 8.9 Concerns that Politics Threatens Islamic Values 8.10 Participating in Protests 8.11 Conclusion References 9 Intersectionality, Complexity, Agency, and Resilience of Young Muslims in the Anglosphere Reference Appendix A—Table of Demographical Details of the Sample Appendix B—Table of Pseudonyms, Gender, Place of Origin/Ethnicity Index