Study sheds light on the opinions and experiences of Bradford-born Pakistani men
UK Muslims are currently the object of extensive scrutiny but how much of this reflects what they themselves think and experience? A new in-depth but small study, by the University of Bradford for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, gathers insights and experiences from 25 Bradfordian men of Pakistani and Muslim heritage, aged 16-38.
Most of the men considered themselves British, and were consciously connected to their city and locale. Despite varying experiences of racism, poverty and other social inequalities, the British-Pakistani men involved in this report nevertheless felt a positive connection and loyalty to the city of Bradford and to their smaller local areas. They saw it as a city of opportunity and found that community and family links provided a ‘comfort zone’ - an integral part of their economic and social lives.
One of the participants acknowledged that although some people chose to leave when they could, he felt committed to Bradford, saying, “Some people support a footy team; I support what’s around me. Bradford’s my city, Undercliffe is my own backyard. I can’t see myself leaving here for anywhere else.” Another said, “The benefit of Bradford is that everything is at hand. You’ve lived here all your life, you know people, you feel comfortable.”
A few expressed uncertainty and anxiety about what they perceived to be raised levels of Islamophobia following 9/11 and 7/7. One participant said: “Somebody asked me – one of the passengers in the cab: ‘What do you think of the bombings?’ I went ballistic…I said, ‘What do you want me to think?...You idiot, I think exactly the same way as what you do.’”
Arranged marriages were not universally viewed as the preferred way of choosing a partner. For many, ways of finding a partner were changing. Transnational marriages were seen as potentially, though not intrinsically problematic; forced marriages were seen as un-Islamic and seemed likely to continue declining with future generations.
For the interviewees, their faith was an important part of their lives, and they all defined themselves as Muslim, but with varying degrees of religious practice. Whilst Islam was closely linked to the men’s identity and political beliefs, they did not feel that this conflicted with their sense of Britishness.
The men’s British identity was also reflected in their feelings about Pakistan. It no longer held the same connection that it did for their parents and grandparents. Pakistan was more likely to be seen as a place of heritage and not as a present or future homeland.
“To these men, the material and social resources that have been developed in Bradford are much valued and help improve their day-to-day lives. The viability of their city-wide and smaller local communities allows active, positive participation as both Bradfordian and British citizens,” concluded report author, Yunis Alam, a lecturer in Social Sciences at the University of Bradford,”
Charles Husband, co-author and Professor of Social Analysis added, “While there was some generational continuity of cultural values and norms, significant changes also appeared to be taking place.”
