Integration in Multicultural England

<p><b>Positive relations between Muslims and non-Muslims are important for the future, in Britain and beyond</b>. 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?<br><br>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.<br><br>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.</p>