The Multicultural State We're In: Muslims, ‘Multiculture’ and the ‘Civic Re-balancing’ of British Multiculturalism

Abstract

British multiculturalism is alleged to have buckled under various Muslim‐related pressures. Indeed, some intellectuals, commentators and politicians of different political persuasions have pointed to evidence of a ‘retreat’ to be found in an increased governmental emphasis upon ‘integration’ and ‘social cohesion’. One response to these developments, from defenders of diversity‐related politics, has comprised a discursive reorientation of British multiculturalism to focus upon an anti‐essentialist ‘multiculture’ that can transcend the alleged hitherto reification of British multiculturalism. This article offers an alternative appraisal of British multiculturalism. We contest the idea that British multiculturalism is subject to a wholesale ‘retreat’ and suggest instead that it has been, and continues to be, subject to a productive critique that is resulting in something best characterised as a ‘civic re‐balancing’. Simultaneously, and rather than seeking comfort in a depoliticised ‘multiculture’ view, we defend the ideal of a dynamic political multiculturalism, comprised of a body of discourses and policies originating from a racial equality paradigm inaugurated by the first Race Relations Act (1965). It is argued that this tradition has successfully and legislatively embedded a recognition of ‘difference’– with the goal of promoting equality of access and opportunity – into Britain's self‐image which has led to some significant accommodations for certain groups. Muslim minorities are currently appealing to this tradition as one means of achieving greater civic inclusion.

A civic rebalancing of British multiculturalism? An analysis of geography, history and citizenship education curricula

“…Nowhere in the curriculum is the 'civic rebalancing' of multiculturalism (Meer & Modood, 2009) expressed more explicitly than in citizenship with community cohesion becoming the policy buzzword enshrined in the new secondary curriculum. According to Mr. Lee, citizenship advisor at DCSF, cohesion and diversity, multiculturalism and integration 'are mutually supportive' concepts.…”

“…Meer and Modood (2009) term this a 'civic rebalancing' of British multiculturalism rather than a wholesale 'retreat' (see Joppke, 2004) or 'backlash' (see Vertovec & Wessendorf, 2010). In Britain, this debate was largely triggered by the Cantle Report following civil unrest and 'rioting' between ethnic majority and Asian Muslim youth in several northern English towns in 2001.…”

Racism and Islamophobia: A Personal Perspective

“…Thousands of British Muslims took part in the million-strong multicultural demonstration against the Iraq war in London in February 2003 (Saeed, 2004). Indeed Muslims are identifying new reflexive spaces in various aspects of the public and social sphere (Meer and Modood 2009), for example, the rise of the Muslim 'blogo-sphere' and employment of new/social media to challenge anti-Muslim perceptions (Saeed, 2014). Furthermore, the willingness of young Muslims to create cultural outlets from art, to music, to even fashion, shows how a young dynamic Muslim popular culture is being created that shows the willingness of Muslims to integrate, adapt and be involved in all aspects of society (Saeed, 2014).…”

Islamic Education and Multiculturalism: Engaging with the Canadian Experience

“…In short, Muslims should be accepted as a genuine group with a common belief system (as distinct from their ethnic identities as, for example, Asians), whose presence has to be recognized and reflected in all parts of the society. Modood (2007in Meer & Modood, 2009 proposes considering multiculturalism as a civic idea that can be integrated into an inclusive national identity. He proposes promoting strong citizenship identity that fosters commonality and strengthens national identities, while preserving differences in various aspects: …it does not make sense to encourage strong multicultural or minority identities and weak common or national identities; strong multicultural identities are a good thing -they are not intrinsically divisive, reactionary or subversive-but they need the complement of a framework of vibrant, dynamic, national narratives and the ceremonies and rituals which give expression to a national identity (Modood, 2007cin Meer & Modood, 2009).…”