Communities and neighbourhoods

Understanding Muslim Ethnic Communities

The Understanding Muslim Ethnic Communities research project provides an insight into 13 of the most significant Muslim ethnic diaspora communities in England.  In the past, popular understanding and knowledge of the Muslim population in England has often failed to capture the diversity within the Muslim population, leaving critical gaps in knowledge and understanding of smaller Muslim ethnic communities and of the range of experience within communities. These reports seek to provide food for thought on characteristics of these communities to enable more effective engagement.

Each report sets out the context for migration and what is known about demographics. Respondent insights into the socioeconomic status of their communities are set out together with their views on integration and cohesion. The complexity of ethnic and religious identities and emerging dynamics are discussed as are intergenerational issues and challenges for young people. The wide range of continuing links with countries of origin are noted. This is followed by a broad overview of the nature and type of civil society development that has taken place and issues relating to public authority engagement and encouragement of participation by communities are highlighted. Overall conclusions are drawn followed by recommendations for the wide range of stakeholders with an interest in the issues.

Communities and Local Government commissioned the Change Institute in 2008 to carry out this research. It was done through collation of data from the 2001 Census, other surveys and academia, and through a small number of focus groups and interviews with community members. Please note that the views expressed in these reports do not necessarily reflect those of the government.

Related publications

Communities in control: real people, real power

Aims to pass power into the hands of local communities.

Have your say

My favourites