Background Information:

Islam - a complete guide to life
Islam is a religion whose followers are called Muslims. It is a very practical religion in that the holy book, the Koran, states very precisely how Muslims should behave in all aspects of their lives. The Islamic faith is therefore a complete guide to life.

Islam, the Koran and women
Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the prophet Mohammed by God through the angel Gabriel. Within the Koran there are many instances of where Mohammed preached the importance of women in society. In true Islamic culture, no one is treated with more respect than a mother. In countries where women are not treated as equals it is not through Islamic teachings but the law of the land.

The fundamentalist problem
So-called Muslim fundamentalists wage wars, carry out acts of terror and issue death threats under the banner of Islam. Ironically they are acting contrary to the tolerance and forgiveness taught by the Koran and by the prophet Mohammed. This can result in ideas about Islam in the west often being confused with political agendas in the Middle East.

Mixing it in the West
Ethnic minority young people living in Western countries often receive conflicting messages from families and wider society as to what constitutes proper behaviour. They may also have to cope with racial prejudice at school and in the neighbourhood. Asian girls may have to cope with their parents’ orthodox views which traditionally favour boys. Many second-and third-generation young people are seeking integration with Western traditions and ideas which can cause tension within traditional family units. Some integrate successfully and are proud to have a foot in both cultures; others don’t find it so easy.

A question of language
Racism can be found among people in any group differentiated by race. Terms such as race, racism, mixed race, and interracial have arisen out of specific social and economic circumstances. Such terms are rightly subject to debate. Race used to refer to a group of people with specific and clearly identifiable common characteristics. There is a growing belief that such views should be challenged as inaccurate and inadequate and that human beings cannot, and should not, be classified as being in clear-cut categories.

Inclusion and culture
Britain currently has one of the highest rates of interracial relationships in the Western world, producing a society that is culturally rich and varied. A question often asked is do mixed-race relationships show how multi cultural Britain and other parts of the world are becoming or do interracial relationships erode cultures.