THE POLITICS OF RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

Presentation of findings from two major research projects:

• MPCG: Muslim Participation in Contemporary Governance
  
• ACCEPT Pluralism: Tolerance, Pluralism and Social Cohesion
  

Panel discussion:

• Kris Hopkins (Conservative MP, Keighley and Ilkley)
• Sunder Katwala (Director of British Future)
• Tariq Modood (Director of Ethnicity Research Centre, Bristol University)
• Fiyaz Mughal (Director of Faith Matters; Liberal Democrat Advisor)

Muslim Participation in Contemporary Governance is a research project funded by the AHRC/ESRC joint research programme on Religion & Society. The project investigates how UK governance includes British Muslims and how Muslims themselves become involved in consultations, partnerships, and governance networks. Academic researchers have built a growing understanding of British Muslim protest and activism from the Salman Rushdie Affair until today. Yet the participation of British Muslims in policymaking and implementation, and in local and national processes of governing remains largely an untold story.

ACCEPT Pluralism is concerned with the increasing cultural diversity that characterises European societies and the ways in which it is possible to enhance societal cohesion while respecting ethnic, religious and cultural plurality. ACCEPT debates the principles, practices, and institutional arrangements that are needed to promote tolerance and acceptance of cultural differences. Funded by the European Commission's FP7 Programme, the British contribution to the project focuses in particular on contestations about British Muslim claims for accommodation in politics and education.

Projects funded by: