Global Focus

The Young Muslim – A 21st Century Crossroads

Alexander Hamilton, United Kingdom, Thursday 24 April 2008

21st Century Britain is a society of multi-cultures; each competing to maintain and promote their identity through the established institutions of government, education and the work place. It is easy for any analysis of the recent 2001 census to draw out the inequalities faced by the Muslim community and consequently berate the hypocrisy of Britain being the land of equality. Explication of the figures however also reveal to a nexus of opportunity for today’s generation of Muslims.

Any interpretation of the current position of the Muslim community would be foolish to minimise the challenges faced. 35% of Muslim households have no adults in employment; a figure that is double the national average. Nearly 70% of Muslim women of working age were economically inactive. As a consequence of this lack of financial autonomy more than half of Muslims do not own their own home with 28% of Muslim households dependent on the state.

What accounts for these grim demographics? Many would argue the typical factors that confront any migrant community coming to a new country; language and cultural differences fuelling discrimination.

Perhaps, however, this is where the single ray of hope lies for the current generation of young Muslims. Currently, more than half of the Muslim community in this country are first generation British. What will be the result of this organic form of integration?

W.E Du Bois wrote of the African American identity crisis as ‘two warring ideals in one body’; this generation of Muslims face a similar malaise; can they accommodate adherence to their faith and still prosper in a Western Capitalist society? A common complaint of many young Muslims is the difficulty they have in reconciling their own heritage and culture within British society.

The vast majority of Muslims hold Islam as the most important aspect of their lives. It is the bedrock of their community and family life – the guiding principles by which they live their lives. Who has the responsibility to evolve? Should British society accommodate those who wish to practice the Muslim faith, or is this country intrinsically Christian?

The true answer is neither, as the true faith of Western society is capitalism and the acquisition of wealth. Placism, rather than racism, is the true barrier to prosperity. The individual who offers the most desirable skill or product will prosper.

What of the role of Muslim women in the community? Will there be a greater toleration for them to enter the workplace in an effort to boost their families access to greater housing conditions and access to education? Can they afford to stay within the home?

Before this question is answered the Muslim community must also recognise the competition. The expansion of the European Union has invited a vast swathe of immigration from the former Eastern Bloc countries. With less cultural barriers to overcome these migrant workers; the first generation cleaners, labourers and bus drivers will soon evolve into the next generation of doctors, lawyers and Police Officers.

The talent and entrepreneurial skill is definitively there; almost a fifth of all Muslims are self employed and the majority of Muslim children perform better than their Christian counterparts a GCSE level.

The young Muslim should also acknowledge their role in the cultural war on terror. Nearly half of youths in regional towns are now showing signs of Islamaphobia fuelled in many ways by the negative stereotypes perpetuated by the Western press. What better way to counter this than to become the most productive community within British society? The alternative – more depressing statistics!