British Muslim Women and Political Activism

Begum, Shahanara (2025) British Muslim Women and Political Activism. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

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Abstract

Using qualitative research methods of interviews and a discussion, this thesis examines British Muslim women’s political activism, which is broadly defined to capture the diverse ways in which these women participate in British society. The conceptual framework is built around the concept of space invaders (Puwar, 2004), intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1989) and faith inspired activism (Mahmood, 2005) to classify micro (local), meso (national) and macro (international) activism performed by participants. First, I argue that British Muslim women (participants) are motivated by their religion (Islamic principles, values and ethics) to uphold justice and contest the negative stereotypes and representations of Muslim women in the UK. I call my participants’ activism faith-inspired activism rooted in a variety of political activities from grassroots campaigning, volunteering, charity work to community organising, leadership roles and political office.

Second, I use the concept of intersectionality and space invaders to make the argument that participants face barriers to their faith-inspired activism (marginalisation and stereotyping) due to being female, Muslim and from an ethnic minority (non-white) background. Participants are seen as space invaders, ‘trespassers’ who take up ‘privileged’ (and political) positions which have not been reserved for them as they are not the ‘somatic norm’ (Puwar, 2004). Subsequently, they face sexism and Islamophobia (racial and religious prejudices and discrimination) as well as infantilisation, a burden of doubt, and suspicion in activist and political spaces (community groups, local and national networks, campaigning organisations, political parties and social media platforms). Finally, I show that participants overcome these barriers through support from male and female family and community members, solidarity and allyship from other women’s and community campaign groups, and wider organisations and movements such as Women100 who provide leadership training to women.

In summary, the analysis suggests an alternative picture of Muslim women who are well-integrated political subjects participating in micro, meso and macro activism as motivated by their faith in British society. This research visibilises Muslim women’s political activism and demonstrates the significance of religion in shaping their political activities and the positive effects of being a space invader in activist and political spaces.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Dates:	Date Event 25 October 2025 Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords:	British Muslim women, Muslim women, political activism, Covid-19, faith-inspired activism, Islamophobia, activism
Subjects:	CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-01 - sociology, social policy and anthropology > CAH15-01-02 - sociology CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-03 - politics > CAH15-03-01 - politics CAH20 - historical, philosophical and religious studies > CAH20-02 - philosophy and religious studies > CAH20-02-02 - theology and religious studies
Divisions:	Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection Law and Social Sciences > Criminology and Sociology > Criminology
Depositing User:	Louise Muldowney
Date Deposited:	29 Oct 2025 09:10
Last Modified:	29 Oct 2025 09:10
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16697

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