Muslim minorities in Britain: Integration, Multiculturalism and Radicalism in the Post-7/7 Period

This paper is a discussion of the experiences of British Muslim communities in the light of the events of 7/7. The social, economic and political positions of British Muslims have been important public policy and academic and popular discourse considerations since the focus on the Rushdie Affair of 1989 and the general rise of Islamophobia ever since. However, the events of 9/11, the impact of anti-terror legislation upon Muslim communities, and the subsequent discussion of questions in relation to multiculturalism and the experience of Islamic political radicalisation since 7/7 have led to the current research. The paper begins with an overview of the demographics of British Muslim communities and a focus on multiculturalism and Islamophobia in Britain. A discussion of the problem of the radicalisation of young Muslims is then followed by a concentration on anti-terrorism legislation and its impact on civil liberties. The example of the "foiled terror plot" of 10 August 2006 provides an analysis of the intersection of the current interest in radicalisation and its impact on multiculturalism in a climate of severe Islamophobia. In conclusion, it is argued that the many different parameters of Islamophobia are increasingly converging; further problematising already disadvantaged and disaffected religious minority groups. Solutions to problems remain in building inter-faith and inter-ethnic relations, ensuring equality of opportunity and outcome, but also recognising the important balance between integration and diversity.