Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1972. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 245-249).

Studiens syfte är att öka förståelse för muslimska minoritetsgruppers bakgrund, identitet, värdering och upplevelser.                                                                                                                                 För att få svar på studiens syfte har jag intervjuat 5 muslimska respondenter.  Jag har använt mig av den hermeneutiska metoden och jag har använt mig av min förförståelse och intryck för att kunna tolka och förstå respondenternas upplevelser. Fem vetenskapliga artiklar har används i denna studie som behandlar olika fenomen omkring islam och muslimer i Kanada, Sverige, Tyskland och Norge. Artiklarna handlar om hur den muslimska slöjan bemöts, vad som ligger bakom negativa attityder mot muslimer, integration och segregation och diskriminering av muslimer. Två teoretiker som jag ansåg vara lämpliga för mitt arbete var Taylor och Abbasian, som framför vikten av erkännande och integration i samspel med varandra i samhället. Resultatet  i denna studie visar att respondenterna vill behålla sina muslimska värderingar och den egna identiteten. Värderingarna och identiteten ska respekteras och accepteras av de övriga i samhället. Respondenterna anser inte att media har gett en rättvis bild av muslimer, och de har gett en felaktig bild av muslimer bland västerlänningar. / The purpose of the study is to increase the understanding of the Muslim minorities’ background, identity, values and experiences. To get answers for the purpose of the study, I interviewed five Muslim respondents. I have used the hermeneutic method and I have used some of my preunderstamdings and impressions in order to interpret and understand the respondents’ experiences. Five scientific articles have been used in this study, which deals with various phenomena about Islam and Muslims in Canada, Sweden, Germany and Norway. Articles about how the Muslim veil is met, what lies behind negative attitudes towards Muslims, integration and segregation and discrimination against Muslims. Two theorists who I considered to be suitable for my study were Taylor and Abbasian, who talks about the importance of recognition and integration in interaction with each other in society. The result of the study is that respondents want to retain their Muslim values and their identity. The values and identity must be respected and accepted by the rest of the society. The respondents do not believe that media has recognized a fare image of Muslims, and it has given the wrong image of Muslims among the western world.

Islamophobia and misconceptions or negative portrayal of Muslims have led Muslims in Western societies being discriminated by people who hold religious and racial prejudice. Against this backdrop, Muslim communities in Britain run a national campaign called “Visit My Mosque”. This thesis explores whether the campaign follows the three variables of social movements: political opportunities, mobilising structures, and framing processes to take shape and emerge. Close examination to data, collected from interviews with four Muslim activists, reveals themes which point to the variables. The regional political context in Europe following the terrorists attack at the office of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris triggers activists in Britain to launch the “Visit My Mosque” campaign. The political climate provides an opportunity for Muslims to take collective action. The pressure on Muslim communities, as a result of Islamophobia and negative portrayal of Muslims by some sections of the media, provides narratives to transform grievances into action. And finally, the campaign emerges due to the presence of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) which facilitates the campaign and provides support to networks of participating mosques. These findings may offer more understanding into the study of social movements in general and religious activism in particular.