Liston, Zoe
(2014)
Migration and Muslim Cultural Identity:
Living as Outsiders, Inside Europe.
Research and Perspectives on Development Practice, 17.
ISSN 2009-6976
Abstract
This research paper is a summary of an MA thesis submitted to the Kimmage
Development Studies Centre, in 2010. The objective was to explore whether geographical
migration has an affect on the cultural identity of Muslim migrants living in Ireland. Set
against the socio-political backdrop of the terrorist attacks of 2001 and the subsequent
“war on terror”, Europe and other parts of the Western world have experienced a
polarisation of Muslim cultural identity and Euro-Christian cultural identity. Reductive
identities and stereotyping in the past decade have contributed to the growth in perceived
‘terror’ and the ever widening culture gap.
With an interest in interculturalism, my aim was to assess whether migration affects
change on Muslim cultural identity and if it contributes to the perpetuation of cultural
‘Othering’. I conducted twelve semi-structured interviews with Muslim migrants in the
Dublin area and an additional eight questionnaires.
Findings from my primary research suggested the experience of being a cultural ‘Other’
is significant. It also suggested that religious identity in a migrant context may serve the
dual purpose of both ‘spiritual guide’ and as a means of ‘self-recognition’. Finally, my
research indicated that the Muslim migrant experience in Ireland is significantly shaped
by the multi-ethnic nature of this community.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Additional Information: |
Research and Perspectives on Development Practice
Series
Paper No. 17 |
| Keywords: |
Muslims; Migrants; Migration; Culture; Cultural Identity;
Interculturalism; Kimmage Development Studies Centre; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > International Development |
| Item ID: |
9942 |
| Depositing User: |
IR Editor
|
| Date Deposited: |
18 Sep 2018 13:19 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Research and Perspectives on Development Practice |
| Publisher: |
Kimmage Development Studies Centre |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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