Bordering Through Religion: A Case Study of Christians from the Muslim Majority World Seeking Asylum in the UK

Madziva, Roda

Abstract

The current global 'crisis' of the refugee movement has drawn to the forefront longstanding public worries about welcoming and accommodating refugees, especially in liberal democratic States. While religion is central to refuge, very little is known about the experiences of individuals seeking refugee protection on religious grounds and even the racialisation of religious identities within the asylum adjudication system. Drawing on ethnographic research with Christians from Pakistan, who are seeking asylum in the United Kingdom (UK), this paper explores the religious discrimination that this group faces within the context of the UK's current hostile environment. Findings reveal a complex issue of misdirected Islamophobia, along with other multi-layered forms of stereotyping. By exploring and engaging with these issues, the paper aims to highlight the complex 'borders' that those seeking protection on religious grounds have to negotiate as they move through the asylum adjudication system.

Citation

Madziva, R. (2020). Bordering Through Religion: A Case Study of Christians from the Muslim Majority World Seeking Asylum in the UK. International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy, 9(3), 47-60. https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.v9i3.1591

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 1, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Aug 5, 2020
• Publication Date: Aug 5, 2020
• Deposit Date: Aug 26, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 26, 2020
• Journal: International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy
• Print ISSN: 2202-8005
• Electronic ISSN: 2202-8005
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 47-60
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.v9i3.1591
• Keywords: Asylum adjudication; religious persecution; epistemic injustice; hermeneutical injustice; testimonial injustice
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4852587
• Publisher URL: https://www.crimejusticejournal.com/article/view/1591