1st Edition

Muslim Citizens in the West Spaces and Agents of Inclusion and Exclusion

Edited By Samina Yasmeen, Nina Markovic Copyright 2014

    Drawing upon original case studies spanning North America, Europe and Australia, Muslim Citizens in the West explores how Muslims have been both the excluded and the excluders within the wider societies in which they live. The book extends debates on the inclusion and exclusion of Muslim minorities beyond ideas of marginalisation to show that, while there have undoubtedly been increased incidences of Islamophobia since September 2001, some Muslim groups have played their own part in separating themselves from the wider society. The cases examined show how these tendencies span geographical, ethnic and gender divides and can be encouraged by a combination of international and national developments prompting some groups to identify wider society as the 'other'. Muslim and non-Muslim scholars and practitioners in political science, social work, history and law also highlight positive outcomes in terms of Muslim activism with relationship to their respective countries and suggest ways in which increasing tensions felt, perceived or assumed can be eased and greater emphasis given to the role Muslims can play in shaping their place in the wider communities where they live.

    Introduction; Part I: Muslim Exclusion/Inclusion; Chapter 1: The Dynamics of Exclusion/Inclusion; Chapter 2: British Muslims; Chapter 3: Engaging Europe's Muslims; Chapter 4: Faith, Community, Identity; Chapter 5: ‘They want to turn to their religion. But they should turn to be Australians'; Chapter 6: Inclusion and Exclusion; Part II: Excluded or Excluders; Chapter 7: Neo-traditional Salafis in the West; Chapter 8: Canadian Muslim Youth; Chapter 9: Economic Inclusion and Integration; Part III: The Neglected Spaces; Chapter 10: Extremists and Moderates; Chapter 11: Social Inclusion of Australian Muslims through Contemporary Muslim Arts; Part IV: Muslim Essentialism; Chapter 12: Muslims in Singapore as a Case Study for Understanding Inclusion/Exclusion Phenomenon; Chapter 13: Islamic Identity in the Indian Public Sphere; Part V: From Exclusion to Inclusion; Chapter 14: The ‘Dutch Experiment'; Chapter 15: Constructive Integration

    Biography

    Professor Samina Yasmeen is Director of Centre for Muslim States and Societies and lectures in Political Science and International Relations in the School of Social and Cultural Studies, the University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth. Professor Yasmeen is a specialist in political, and strategic developments in South Asia(particularly Pakistan), the role of Islam in world politics, and citizenship among immigrant women. Nina Marković from the Centre for European Studies, Australian National University, is an expert in European politics and societies. Her research focuses on the role of discourses, nationalism and ethnic identities in foreign policy. She has published numerous academic works with a particular focus on the European Union, Iran, Western Balkans and Russia. She has worked in the Australian Federal parliamentary research service as a Senior Researcher for Europe and Middle East.

    ’Few books have managed to illuminate the experience of Muslims in the West as effectively as this one. The richly textured analysis of attitudes, perceptions and strategies ranges across the different social and political landscapes of Europe, Australia, North America and even India and Singapore. In each case the complex exclusion/inclusion dynamic that operates as much within as between minorities and majorities is treated with subtlety and much insight.’ Joseph Camilleri, La Trobe University, Australia