UK Programme background

 

Forward Thinking recognises that Muslim communities in Britain are characterised by their ethnic, linguistic, religious and regional diversity. 

Recent years have seen a reinforcement in the perception of a growing gap between what can be crudely termed ‘the Muslim world’ and ‘the West’, both within each society and in arenas of interaction.  These tensions can be seen within Britain, where the sizeable and diverse Muslim communities have faced both external and internal challenges to their lives in the UK and have struggled to play a constructive role in mainstream British society while maintaining their distinct cultural and religious identity.  Moreover, recent events in the UK and abroad have only served to highlight the various challenges and difficulties facing Muslim communities in Britain.  Over the past several decades, the Muslim presence has grown substantially in the UK, while at the same time the obstacles to full participation in mainstream society have remained, if not multiplied.

More specifically, a gap has developed between first-generation Muslims and the generation of their children, who in the majority of cases have been born and brought up in the UK.  The older generation had generally sought to avoid assimilation for fear of losing their traditions and values.  In the context of alienation, the younger generation has experienced a growing frustration with their own position in society as British citizens and growing questions regarding their religious, cultural and national identities and loyalties.