Abstract

Nowadays, speaking of a same identity or a homogenous pattern of social identity for all Muslims living in western countries such as Britain or Scotland is so difficult and impossible because Muslims like other minority groups and even like any members of majority groups construct multiple or hyphenated social identities drawing on different factors such as religion, ethnicity and nationality. The importance of each of these factors is different in Muslims’ social identities and therefore their sense of belonging to ethnic, national and/or religious identities vary in strength, nature and meaning. In most studies little attention has been paid to unpack this diversity and heterogeneity. With regard to the necessity of examining the importance of different factors on Muslims’ social identities, this paper, drawing on empirical data and qualitative interviews assesses different meaning and importance of nationality, ethnicity and religion on first generation Muslims’ social identities in Scotland. The findings presented in this paper can contribute to the better and in-depth understanding of different Muslims’ social identities in Scotland and Britain.