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“Your name does not tick the box”: the intertwining of names, bodies, religion and nationality in the construction of identity within the UK asylum system

Madziva, Roda

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Abstract

This article draws on research with Pakistani Christians seeking asylum in the UK, focusing on those with English/biblical names, exploring, firstly the relationship between names and religious persecution in the country of origin, and secondly the complex interaction between names, bodies, religion and nationality within the UK asylum system. It argues that in responding to the perceived threats of immigration and terrorism, British immigration officials tend to use Pakistani as a proxy for Islam, with those Christians who possess English/biblical names often perceived to be a more suspicious group. It concludes by highlighting the need to take religious identities seriously in immigration policies and practices, especially in the context of the current refugee crisis.

Citation

Madziva, R. (in press). “Your name does not tick the box”: the intertwining of names, bodies, religion and nationality in the construction of identity within the UK asylum system. Ethnic and Racial Studies, https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2017.1318215

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 29, 2017
Online Publication Date May 3, 2017
Deposit Date May 10, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Ethnic and Racial Studies
Print ISSN 0141-9870
Electronic ISSN 0141-9870
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2017.1318215
Keywords Pakistani Christians, asylum seekers, religious persecution, names, bodies, nationality
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/859288
Publisher URL http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/iSiDxZSwXMMZeIwEAW68/full

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