British Muslim Women and Agency: Navigating Religious Identity in Secular Democratic Spaces

This paper explores the intersection of religion, gender, and politics by examining the political activism and agency of British Muslim women in democratic society. While discussions about religious actors in political spheres often focus on prominent religious leaders or male activists, this research sheds light on the experiences of Muslim women and their participation in institutional and grassroots political spaces in the UK.

Using a multigenerational approach, this study highlights how British Muslim women in Newcastle and Glasgow engage in activism both within and outside of their communities, negotiating their religious identity in a secular democratic context. It explores their personal and denominational motivations, as well as the strategies they employ to balance religious principles with participation in public and political life. By investigating how these women assert their agency within local and national political systems, the study contributes to broader debates on religious actors’ roles in parliaments, political parties, and public policy advocacy. The findings reveal diverse expressions of political engagement, from direct involvement in political campaigns to more subtle forms of activism through community leadership and advocacy. This paper argues that the political participation of British Muslim women is a crucial, yet underexplored, dimension of the relationship between religion and politics in democratic societies. By focusing on gender and intersectionality, it expands the understanding of how religious actors navigate and influence political spaces in secularized democracies.