A Historical Ethnography of Muslim Women's Activism in the U.K
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: School of PRHS
Abstract
Research Context
The history of Muslim activism in Britain is being recorded in ever more detail. However, despite longstanding contemporary studies of Muslim women's experiences of patriarchy, stigmatization, identity, family, education and employment, and dress practices, few have focused on Muslim women's activism and none has had the ambition to make sense of the broad and changing dynamics and priorities of Muslim women-led organizing across the UK. To positively impact future policy and service provision, there is a clear need for research that sheds new light on the historical evolution and current contributions of Muslim women's activism in Britain.
Research Hypothesis
My hypothesis is that, despite often having its roots in Islamic movements with faith-based agendas, and despite evolving to address social issues common within both Muslim and non-Muslim communities (e.g. mental health, drugs and alcohol abuse, isolation, single parenthood) much of Muslim women's activism today is still responding to the socio-psychological impact on young Muslims of growing up in a post 9/11 world, therefore this will be a key area of focus.
Research Questions
1. What are the underlying social, economic, political and cultural-religious conditions that have led to the growth in Muslim women led groups and organisations since the 1970s?
2. To what extent has Muslim women's activism developed in responses to specific state/media discourses and policy? Has this changed since the 1970s?
3. To what extent has it developed as a result of changing community dynamics including patriarchy, demography, education and social mobility / social change?
4. What different organizational frameworks have Muslim women worked within and without to express their own agency and meet the challenge of negotiating these forces?
5. How has this differed across local-national, generational, ethno-religious, class, educational and sectoral divides?
6. To what extent has the content of the issues over which Muslim women have mobilized remained consistent or been transformed since the 1970s?
7. How do Muslim women's definitions of faith and society impact their understanding of activism?
The history of Muslim activism in Britain is being recorded in ever more detail. However, despite longstanding contemporary studies of Muslim women's experiences of patriarchy, stigmatization, identity, family, education and employment, and dress practices, few have focused on Muslim women's activism and none has had the ambition to make sense of the broad and changing dynamics and priorities of Muslim women-led organizing across the UK. To positively impact future policy and service provision, there is a clear need for research that sheds new light on the historical evolution and current contributions of Muslim women's activism in Britain.
Research Hypothesis
My hypothesis is that, despite often having its roots in Islamic movements with faith-based agendas, and despite evolving to address social issues common within both Muslim and non-Muslim communities (e.g. mental health, drugs and alcohol abuse, isolation, single parenthood) much of Muslim women's activism today is still responding to the socio-psychological impact on young Muslims of growing up in a post 9/11 world, therefore this will be a key area of focus.
Research Questions
1. What are the underlying social, economic, political and cultural-religious conditions that have led to the growth in Muslim women led groups and organisations since the 1970s?
2. To what extent has Muslim women's activism developed in responses to specific state/media discourses and policy? Has this changed since the 1970s?
3. To what extent has it developed as a result of changing community dynamics including patriarchy, demography, education and social mobility / social change?
4. What different organizational frameworks have Muslim women worked within and without to express their own agency and meet the challenge of negotiating these forces?
5. How has this differed across local-national, generational, ethno-religious, class, educational and sectoral divides?
6. To what extent has the content of the issues over which Muslim women have mobilized remained consistent or been transformed since the 1970s?
7. How do Muslim women's definitions of faith and society impact their understanding of activism?
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Seán McLoughlin (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Wahida Shaffi (Student) |