Post 9/11: Support For Multiculturalism In Britain

Despite the all evidences that politics is allowing all kind of cultural diversity to grow within same territory. Those countries which have different cultures are trying to make their state a multicultural state in order to live with peace, for growth and development. This paper discusses about the past present and future of multiculturalism. Cultural diversity from very beginning was existing in different nation There are Jews in Germany, Poles in Ireland, Asians in Canada and so on but the level at which Multiculturalism have reached today became a political issue for those countries which have cultural diversities. People of different cultural diversity are enjoying the same rights and people are practicing different cultures as and extended form of their liberty. People have the freedom to do whatever they want but with in the framework of laws.So the people are exercising the libety of practicing their own culture.There is a discussion about remarkable history of multiculturalism, present position of multiculturalism and the future of multiculturalism. There is advancement is polity for a better sustainment of a country with diversity in culture of people. This popular master narrative is too quick to herald the death of multiculturalism, and mischaracterizes the nature of the experiments undertaken, exaggerates the extent to which they have been abandoned, and misidentifies not only the limitations encountered but also the options for addressing these

It answers, as far as it can, questions as “Is Islam against the West?” and “Who defines moderate Islam post 9/11?”. In one of the case studies presented in the book, the author discusses the impact of 9/11 has had on British Muslim Identity, giving an overview of the presence of British Muslims, then looks at 9/11 and the impact it has had on the British Muslim community.

Canada has always been recognized as a multicultural country with a diversity of ethnic groups. According to the 2006 census (Statistics Canada, 2006), there was a total of 1,109,980 new immigrants arriving Canada from various countries between 2001 and 2006. The Multiculturalism Act (1988) is adopted to encourage ethnic groups to preserve their own languages and cultural heritages while integrating into the Canadian culture (Minster of Justice, 1984). Despite that, constant barriers remain in immigrants’ experiences of acculturation. Newcomers who failed to acculturate into the host country may experience social exclusion, which could result in a reduction in their health statuses. Although recent immigrants are often healthier than the general Canadian population, their health status tend to converge to the Canadian-born population with increased length of residence; for instance, statistics revealed worsening immigrant health in chronic conditions like diabetes and tuberculosis (Statistics Canada, 2002). This is referred as the “healthy immigrant effect”. Immigrants’ initial healthy status is explained by self-selection reasons, and screenings that are regulated by the Immigration Act (Statistics Canada, 2002). However, it is more crucial to understand the reasons for their deterioration in health over time. In this paper, we will explore a framework that explains the pathway between social exclusion, an important social determinant of health, and the deterioration in the

The global political climate and media representation of Islam was subsequently shaped to generate fear amongst the wider Australian population (Kabir, 2007). The deliberate demonisation of all Muslims as terrorists gave individuals a free card to express discrimination ( Ack, 2016). Hanson exacerbated the fear that all Muslims are potential threats to Australian society with the firm statement that- “we are in danger of being swamped by Muslims, who bear a culture and ideology that is incompatible with our own”. This statement infers that Muslims are not fit to adjust into to the Judeo- Chrisitan society of Australia. Dooming them to either integrate or leave. When evaluating such blatant views, that are unworthy to be voiced in a parliament of a country that believes in the “freedom of religion”, one must consider the precedent set by former Australian politicians or Australia’s political system in general. Racism has always been a tradition of Australia’s governmental structure, for it is a successful way “for the ruling class to divert attention from their own crimes and the failings of the system they run” (Ack,

As we enter the 21st century, complex issues such as terrorism, immigration, multiculturalism, and social cohesion have brought about a significant amount controversy and an abundance of emotive rhetoric within Australian society. The fact that these issues have been politicised around a number of elections has bought these matters to the forefront of public discussion, but rather than appealing to the publics sense of compassion, the issues have been approached

After the events the immense population of Arabic, Pakistani, Bengalese and people from Muslim majority countries despite their different backgrounds were looked to as potential terrorists (Maira). According to Maira’s, “Youth culture, Citizenship, and Globalization” the youth from these countries are usually the one that will work and study at the same time but also, the ones that will support America (Maira). An example is Sohali, an Indian Muslim immigrant, who works and study but does have relations with the other communities. However, after the events he like many other youths are being labeled as potential terrorists while also thinking if they are the enemies. On another point of the attacks effects, it led to racializing citizenship as Leti Volpp states that Muslium or Middle Eastern groups are now being labeled as terrorists and non-citizens (Maira 345). For all the Arabic, Muslim, and South Asian that are living in America, after the attack they were forced to live their lives in fear due to racial and religious profiling of being labeled as a terrorist. As these people are not only immigrants but rather people who are coming to help support their family back home but also their hosting country. Which to this day are still being categorized as terrorists due to racial and religious profiling that goes beyond the conventional model of black and white

Although many Australian’s exhibit low levels of Islamophobia, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that there is growing discrimination towards Muslims in Australia, as the rate of terror attacks increases. As a result of lack of knowledge and close-mindedness, Muslims are wrongfully feared and blamed for the acts of Islamic Extremists. As explained, many religions do not support discrimination of any form; however, many people can disregard their religious teachings as they respond to the events that are occurring in the world. This is acceptable in a sense for the world to stand as one against terrorists; although, it is irrational to blame all Muslims for the actions of a selection of people. In today’s world the population may find it difficult to make distinction between regular Muslims and extremists, as well as all others in the world. Muslims do not necessarily have to have a particular racial background, as a Caucasian Australian with an Australia background can select to be a Muslim religion and can revert to a member of ISIS if intended. In retrospect, this aspect of the discrimination can be seen as there

September 11th holds many hard and upset feelings around the world today. The harsh actions of Muslim extremists unfortunately completely changed the way Muslims are treated, especially in the United States. These events, exacerbated islamophobia. Unfortunately, “the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, connect Muslims and Islam to terrorism within the geographical borders of the United States.” (Byng) Although it has been over a decade since the attack, many still feel racist and discriminatory attitudes towards Muslims. Muslims are the targeted minority in the United States, “the 9/11 terrorist attacks shifted the social and political context for Muslims in the United States. Terrorism within the geographical borders of the United States carried out by Muslims places an identity at the center of national and global politics.” (Byng) The blame of the horrible terrorist attacks, rather than be placed on terrorists or religious extremist, has been placed on Islam in America. After September 11th, hate crimes towards Muslims skyrocketed, “the most dramatic change noted by the report was a more than 1,600 percent increase in reported hate crimes against Muslims -- a jump from 28 hate incidents in 2000 to 481 last year.”

The purpose of an anti-racist, feminist, environmental, social justice activist, children’s advocacy and international development agencies are to raise awareness about racial oppressions, social justice and its relevance to society, and to encourage multiculturalism and to spread anti-racism around the world. As the time change, so does these movements and in the twenty-first century so do their methods to spread awareness on racial oppression, social justice and diversity of multiculturalism. Social movements bring awareness to racial oppression by either protesting or by creating videos of interviews or creating scenes talking about the racial oppression. The goals of bring awareness to any issue is to catch the eye of mainstream media

This is a particular issue at the moment due to the Syrian refugee crisis in Europe and the Asylum seekers attempting to enter Australia. In particular groups such as the United Patriots Front, Rise Up Australia party and the One Nation Party all believe in refusing ‘illegal immigrants’ from entering Australia, the removal of Multiculturalism, and removal of Islam from Australia. Many of their protests and movements have resulted in violence or hateful speech in public areas, which they deemed to be at risk. An event similar to the goal of these parties to remove Islam from Australia was the 2005 Cronulla riots, which involved several spouts of violence and mass protest against non-Caucasians in the city of Cronulla.

I want to point out that I do recognize that ‘Muslim’ isn’t a race, it’s a religion, but it feels like after 9/11, being ‘Muslim’ has become racialized. This reminds me of the article The Social Construction of Race by Ian Lopez because it resembled how easily we can socially construct certain groups to have ‘natural’ differences from us, when it is all just social interaction and created by our society, such as the racialization of Muslims. I remember Christianity and Catholicism were always the norm. I never grew up learning about my culture in depth, unless we were learning about 9/11. I remember people’s faces physically changing when I said I was Muslim. People who are Christian or Catholic have the privilege of having a religious temple or building near them at all times, they have time off work for their holidays, we use their Calendar system, their religion is always represented in media, they don’t have to speak on behalf of the people of their religion when someone from their religion commits a crime (like a school shooting), and they can worship their religion freely without feeling fear. Seeing the way my religion was portrayed in the media and how my parents almost hid this from neighbors, made me realize that there must be something wrong with us and I still carry this fear of saying I’m

Australia is a settler nation which is now made up of many ethnic groups who share similar cultural traditions, common language, shared history and a shared identity (ABS, 2016). These groups contribute to what is referred to multiculturalism. Australia has a higher proportion of people born overseas than the US, Canada and the UK, with 49% of Australia’s population (or a parent) being born overseas (Census of Population and Housing, 2016). Compared to other Western nations, Australia has one of the most diverse immigration populations (Collins, 2013, p. 145). The meaning of multiculturalism in Australia has changed significantly over time. Today, Australia is a culturally and ethnically diverse country and therefore is a multicultural society. In terms of public policy, multiculturalism can be defined as policies and practices implemented by the Australian government that aim to manage cultural diversity to benefit the whole of society (Department of Social Services, 2014). Although Australia is a multicultural society, there are criticisms of public policy surrounding multiculturalism.

Negative aspects of multiculturalism are also in effect, such as incoherence within a nation, loss of national identity, and conflicts among different ethnic groups. First of all, while differences are highlighted and encouraged, they are also a cause of disjointedness among the different ethnic groups in a country because they fail to function as one nation, instead forming small communities. This often causes a lack of communication between such ethnic groups and leads to a loss of unity in a country. Furthermore, immigration and pluralism often lead to a diminishment or complete disappearance of national identity in a multicultural country. An example of this is Canada because it was created on the basis of immigration without having its own distinct culture from the beginning, but choosing to include different cultures instead to become what is known today as a multicultural society. While generally it is seen in a positive light, it often raises concern that the country’s identity may disappear altogether in the future. Finally, intense pluralism is oftentimes a reason for riots and conflicts, indirectly related to immigrants or ethnicity. For example, in France tension among ethnic groups and riots have happened in the past because of the conditions of the communities where the original immigrants settled in, combining high unemployment rates and discrimination. (“France Riots”) Sweden

Obama once said that a multicultural society shows strong economy and a strong country. But is it true? What about those who cannot integrate? What about all those people who look down at the immigrants and always blame them for the bad things there happening? And is it a strong society if it cannot provide its citizens?

Over the last few years Ireland has become an increasing multicultural society. In the quite recent past, ‘Ireland was a monoculture, monotheistic place where pretty much everyone was a white Irish Catholic, with cultural diversity comprised of a small scattering of white Irish Protestants’ (irishexaminer.com). A multicultural society simply means a society with many existing cultures, therefore, multiculturalism refers to the ‘cultural diversity or culturally embedded differences’ within a society (Parekh, 2000, 3). Figures from the 2011 census in Ireland show that over 500,000 non Irish nationalists were living in Ireland during this year. This accounts for 12% of the population and has increased significantly from 2002 were 5.8% of the population