Muslim Women’s Perceptions of Integration, Discrimination and Identity in England: An Observational Study on Everyday Life in Birmingham

Abstract

This study examines the strategies developed by headscarf-wearing Muslim migrant women living in Birmingham, England, to cope with perceived discrimination. Focusing on women from Eastern regions who reside in Birmingham for educational purposes, the research explores how they navigate different forms of discrimination encountered in their everyday lives. Employing an observational research method, the study analyses women’s daily practices in relation to experiences of prejudice and social exclusion. Findings derived from direct observations and informal conversations reveal that some headscarf-wearing women prefer wearing surgical masks instead of the niqab. This preference reflects an awareness of potential prejudice and the development of strategies aimed at minimising negative social encounters. Participants perceive Birmingham –a city with a relatively large Muslim population– as a safer and more inclusive environment where integration can be experienced with fewer barriers. It was also observed that women are reluctant to leave the city even for travel purposes, as they associate Birmingham with a sense of safety. While participants reported a preference for single-piece, dark-coloured clothing in their countries of origin, they indicated a shift towards more layered and relatively colourful clothing choices in the host country. These practices are understood as everyday coping strategies developed in response to perceived discrimination. By situating these everyday practices within broader debates on migration, Islamophobia, and social exclusion in Europe, the study offers a deeper understanding of how Muslim migrant women perceive and negotiate their social realities in England. Muslim women develop adaptive visibility strategies to mitigate anti-Muslim prejudice and discrimination