The experiences of the young practicing British Iranian Athna-asheri Shia Muslims in London
The Young Practicing British Iranians or YPBIs which is the focus of this work-based research are members of the British-Iranian community with deep religious practical adherence and a tendency toward Shia Islam. The purpose of this study is to shed more light on the characteristics of this group and find out about their religious, social, and cultural needs and expectations from the Islamic organizations and other relevant authorities based in London. To achieve this goal I gathered data and information from the target group about their experiences in the process of their daily activities within the in-group communication with the Iranian community as well as their intercultural communication with the rest of the members of the British society. In this study, I discuss social and cultural issues faced by this group such as diasporic and religious matters, as well as identity problems arising from their adaptation and integration in London. The results and findings of this study, are presented in the form of recommendations and suggestions, which can be used by relevant and responsible Iranian and British organizations based in London to update and adjust their services. Overall, it can be concluded that YPBIs are a group of enthusiastic individuals who are well-adapted to the multicultural British society, observing and respecting domestic laws and norms, while also preserving their own ethnic, cultural, and religious values. They have a positive tendency towards socialization and communication with the wider population, as long as their cultural and particularly religious beliefs are respected and protected. In terms of methodology, I mainly used a combination of different research approaches such as direct observation, and data collection by applying qualitative questionnaires and conducting semi-structured interviews (mixed method) within the framework of ethnography.
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