Luqman Institute of Education and Development

The question of Identity occupies a key role in the current discourse on how young British Muslims of second and third generations view their loyalties and allegiances.

Thought-provoking issues of social isolation and even religious radicalisation amongst young Muslims have also been linked to vulnerability on matters of identity and belonging.

The ambivalence to diversity within the Muslim community, not least the Sunni and Shia sections, which have conventionally been seen as a monolithic mass has not helped in identifying the existent multiplicity of thought and practice.

Religious and Cultural factors within these communities may play an important role for many Muslim youth. An insight into how Young Muslims weight up these factors and position their loyalties according to predefined boundaries will be of utmost importance.

Following the recent spotlight on young Muslims, the government has in succession found the task of presenting a long-term and inclusive model on national identity an increasingly difficult proposition.

A Combination of these factors causes considerable strains to potential grassroots initiatives, which should be aimed at providing the space for young Muslims to explore matters of identity and be able to share those thoughts in an open and frank exchange.

As a first step, a clear picture of the spectrum of views and concerns from within the Muslim youth community would be crucial in identifying ways forward on the issue of identity and its connotations to the question of citizenship.

The Luqman Institute believes Muslim Youth are in a unique position to begin to take affirmative steps towards this direction. They have a level of freedom to by-pass inherent sectarian attitudes that thwart their communities and can start to build bridges on mutual grounds through being catalytic contributors to a much needed internal and external dialogue.

Simultaneously, grassroots empowerment for young Muslims to articulate their views and engage in the wider debate will allow them to begin manufacturing constructive links to the wider British society.