Contesting the securitization of British Muslims

UK security threats are perceived to have changed significantly since 9/11 and 7/7. Politicians, policymakers, academics and the media have adopted an understanding that security is now experienced in a new way. Importantly, threats and danger are not solely outside of state borders but are also originating, operating and felt within them. As a result, ever more areas of policy are justified through the language of security - or rather that of insecurity, threat and danger. However, the impact of this expansion is not evenly felt among UK citizens. The discourses of state agencies frame Muslim communities not simply as 'problem communities' but as security concerns. As such they are placed on the margins of citizenship and their loyalty questioned. This process has been reinforced by a series of policy initiatives and Acts of Parliament in recent years. However, this process is not uncontested and alternative cultural models of belonging emanate from Muslim communities that 'normalize' and challenge the Othering in security discourses. The aim of this essay is to examine the policy and discursive mechanisms by which securitization and resistance occur. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.