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Photo from a Youth on Religion event in Hillingdon

A QUESTION OF RELIGION: YOUNG PEOPLE AND IDENTITY IN CONTEMPORARY MULTI-FAITH BRITAIN

29 June 12

Friday, 29th June 2012 10.30am – 4.30pm MS114, Mary Seacole Building, Brunel University

Featuring Programme-funded projects Youth on Religion and Keeping the Faith: The Transmission of Sikhism among young British Sikhs.

Chair: Professor Judith Harwin, Centre for Child and Youth Research, Brunel University

10.30 – 10.50 Refreshments

10.50 – 11.00 Welcome to the seminar!

11.00 – 11.50 Young British Muslims finding their voice: from alienation to engagement

Dr Philip Lewis, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford

Young British Muslims are developing the confidence to engage British society and make the most of the institutional spaces opening up in which they can participate. This paper explores some of the encouraging debates now being heard – not least British Muslims contributing ‘Islamically’ to debates within education, social services and chaplaincy. It also addresses how intergenerational tensions are being played out by referring to a seismic political change in Bradford where the Respect candidate recently defeated the Labour candidate in one of the safest Labour seats. The important development from Islamist to post-Islamist politics is also discussed.

11.50 – 12.40 Young Sikhs

Jasjit Singh, University of Leeds

This presentation will outline findings from doctoral research on religious transmission among young British Sikhs (18-30). Focusing on a number of arenas of transmission including families, Sikh camps and the internet, this presentation will outline the ways in which these various arenas allow young British Sikhs to engage with their faith. It will also demonstrate how many religious identity practices result from religious socialisation in the family.

12.40 – 13.30 LUNCH

13.30 – 14.20 The Youth On Religion project: Young people and the negotiation of identity in three diverse urban locations

Professor Nicola Madge, Centre for Child and Youth Research, Brunel University

The Youth On Religion project surveyed over ten thousand young people, and talked to over 160, in secondary schools and colleges in the London Boroughs of Hillingdon and Newham, and Bradford in Yorkshire. Participants came from a range of faith and non-faith positions, and provided a wealth of information on the meaning of religion in their young lives. It was very apparent that families guided their initial religious direction but that peers, school, the community and their own personal experiences and agency became increasingly important as they grew older. This presentation examines the meaning of religious identity for young people and documents some of the landmarks they pass in their religious journey.

14.20 – 15.00 YORvoice: Youth On Religion

Young people from the London Borough of Hillingdon, who participated in YORvoice, part of the Youth On Religion project, present some of their views on religion and its impact on young lives.

15.00 – 15.15 TEA AND BISCUITS

15.15 – 16.00 Growing up with disability in Pakistani Muslim families

Dr Debbie Kramer-Roy, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Brunel University

This paper presents findings from a study of Pakistani Muslim families bringing up disabled children. Religion was a strong part of their daily lives, and parents talked about how personal faith influenced the way they experienced becoming the parents of disabled children and living with them in their communities. While mothers tended to talk about the shift from feelings of distress and shame to considering their child a blessing from God, fathers reported how they turned to religious leaders and scriptures to learn more about disability and its meaning. Siblings reported generally positive views but also indicated some frustration at the restrictions that a disabled brother or sister imposed.

16.00 END OF SEMINAR

NB There is no charge for this seminar and lunch is provided

If you would like to attend, please email nicola.madge@brunel.ac.uk

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