The document examines the identity, adaptation, and social cohesion of Muslim youth in New Zealand, based on surveys and workshops. It highlights the significant challenges they face regarding discrimination, social integration, and the importance of strong identities and community support in facilitating adaptation. Recommendations for policy include nurturing Muslim identity, promoting diversity, and increasing positive interactions between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.

1. MUSLIM YOUTH:
Identity, Integration, Adaptation
and Social Cohesion
Colleen Ward
with
Jaimee Stuart and Zeenah Adam
Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research
Victoria University of Wellington

2. Key Questions
• Identity: How do Muslim youth see themselves?
• Adaptation: How well do Muslim youth adapt socially
and psychologically? What factors facilitate
adaptation?
• Integration and Social Cohesion: To what extent do
Muslim youth experience prejudice and social
exclusion? What factors promote integration and
social cohesion?

3. Data Bases
• Survey of 180 Muslim youth (13-19 years)
– Identity, discrimination, acculturation, social
connectedness, psychological and social adaptation
• Young Muslim Leaders Workshop: Qaadah
Muslimoona Shabaab
– 36 Muslim young people (15-25 years)
– Identity and success; Resources and obstacles; Personal
and community goals
• Building Bridges Workshop: Jusoor Tawaasui
– 24 Muslim and non-Muslim girls (13-14 years)
– Stereotyping, identity and social cohesion

4. Identity and Integration:
Achieving Balance

7. Multiple Identities
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
Muslim Ethnic National
Muslim
IDENTITIES Weak Strong
National
Weak 0%
0
14%
(21)
Strong 1%
(2)
85%
(131)

8. Identity and Adaptation:
The Road to Success

9. 0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Muslim Maori NZE
Life Satisfaction
Psychological
Symptoms
Psychological Well-being

10. 0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
Muslim Maori NZE
School
Adjustment
Behavioural
Problems
Social Adaptation

11. Factors related to Adaptation
• Strong Muslim and ethnic identities
• Engagement in Muslim practices
• Less perceived discrimination
• Family factors: Family cohesion and support
• Friends: Social support

12. Social Cohesion:
Building Bridges

13. Plans are afoot to build a massive mosque
meters from Ground Zero. This tribute to
Islamic terrorists…is not an issue of religious
freedom, but an issues of Muslim dominance
over the “dhimmis”- Christians and Jews
who do not share their religion
Dominion Post Weekend
Letters to the Editor
21/8/10

14. There are these misconceptions about Islam at the
moment. All this terrorism stuff and the conception that
all Muslims from Arabic countries and they are all
terrorists. I want people to know about the real Islam.
Sometimes people get so hateful about religion. I
understand where they are coming from because
religious people can be so passionate... but when they
are attacking another religion they can become so
hateful.

15. •I don’t feel accepted by New Zealanders. 8%
•I have been teased or insulted because of my
background. 25%
•I have been threatened or attacked because of
my background. 5%
•Others have behaved in an unfair way towards
people of my background. 39%
Perceived Discrimination
(% of agreement)

17. We may look different but we all have the
same problems and we are the same
inside….

18. Policy Implications:
Integration and Social Cohesion

19. Strategies
• Policies and programmes that nurture and support
Muslim identity, practices and community
• Policies and programmes that promote appreciation
of diversity
• Policies and programmes that Build Bridges: Increase
positive contact between Muslim and non-Muslims in
New Zealand
• Continued funding for research on Building an
Inclusive Society

20. For further information contact:
Colleen.Ward@vuw.ac.nz