Integration in Multicultural England

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 *
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 *
Friedrichs’ book is a treat. Rich in detail, it tackles the most difficult questions about class, racism, integration, sexism, crime, and isolationist strategies in deprived inner-city areas, all while giving voice to those who live there. This important work deserves widespread discussion. * Jonas Otterbeck, The Aga Khan University, UK *
This is an impressive panoramic view of multiculturalism – not in theory but as it works in practice – in three inner-city areas of England. Based on open-ended interviews with a substantial sample of Muslim and non-Muslim residents from a range of ethnic backgrounds, it documents how people think about and deal with cultural difference as they go about their daily lives. We meet people from all walks of life, such as Shabir, the practising-Muslim chairman of a Rotary Club, and Alison, the white British ‘community cohesion co-ordinator’ in a Muslim-majority school. Participants hold a wide range of views, but the analysis reveals substantial commonality across the themes they choose to discuss. Overall, the findings support a strong case for integration within a multicultural society. This readable, balanced resource will be of immense value to anyone concerned with community relations. * Alison Shaw, University of Oxford, UK *