Integration in Multicultural England - (Islam of the Global West) by Jörg Friedrichs (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book studies relations between Muslims and non-Muslims where it matters most, diverse inner cities. Residents' insights prove relevant for both community relations and cohesion.

Book Synopsis

Positive relations between Muslims and non-Muslims are important for the future, in Britain and beyond. By studying community relations, this book takes an innovative approach that moves beyond mapping "British Muslims" or "British Islam". Instead, Jörg Friedrichs discusses the actual ways Muslims and non-Muslims relate, or fail to relate, where it matters most, namely in diverse inner cities. Is Britain a multicultural country, is it moving towards greater integration, or is this a false dichotomy?

Given their unique everyday experience, inner city residents prove to be experts when it comes to community relations. To give them a voice and learn from their experience, the book takes us on a tour of diverse English inner cities. Reassuringly, the grassroots perspective of residents is consistent with a vision of integration in multicultural England. Residents are concerned not so much about hot-button issues like extremism or terrorism. Instead, their minds are set on practical matters: how to coexist peacefully in stressful urban environments, and how to find love and raise families when norms diverge.

Caught between grievance and aspiration, inner city residents from any background express disappointment at Muslim and non-Muslim parents sending their children to different schools. They also discuss whether governance should be community-blind or community-based, and if Britain is ready for a Muslim Prime Minister. In all of this, Muslim and non-Muslim residents acknowledge that we live in a multicultural society. For most, however, it does not follow that we should adopt multiculturalism as an ideology. Instead, most people crave and support a move towards greater integration.

Review Quotes

Friedrichs provides a rich and innovative exploration of community relations and issues pertaining to Muslim-majority contexts. Although focusing on three urban situations, the tenor of the findings is indicative of the sorts of questions, problems and answers that can be found elsewhere. Written in an engaging and lively style, this book is worthy of anyone interested in the lived realities of Muslims in England today. Having experienced a Hindu Prime Minister, is Britain ready for a Muslim? Read on to find out!
Douglas Pratt, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Joerg Friedrichs has produced a fine contribution to this pioneering series. He tackles crucial debates about community relations that are not only relevant to understanding contemporary British society but what is going on in the West more generally. He grounds those debates within research undertaken in three urban, multicultural English locales and skilfully explores people's varying understandings of such crucial terms as Muslim identity, integration, family and community. Challenging and thought-provoking.
John Eade, University of Roehampton, UK

This book provides a very welcome and new perspective, with insights about integration from 'the undisputable experts' - local people themselves. It comes at a time when relations between Muslims and non-Muslims have become highly politicised, threatening cohesion in many different countries. The author focuses on three areas in and around Muslim-majority communities in England capturing and mediating the views of local residents. The results are unexpected, with a strong bias towards integration and with some clear and challenging implications for way that multiculturalism has been conceived.
Ted Cantle, Belong Cohesion and Integration Network, UK

About the Author

Jörg Friedrichs is Associate Professor of Politics at the Department of International Development and Official Fellow of St Cross College, University of Oxford. He has previously written a book on Hindu-Muslim Relations: What Europe Might Learn from India (2019). He has also worked on Han-Muslim relations in China.