RELIGION AND COMMUNIT Y COHESIO N SPEC

How and why attitudes to the roles of men and women have changed in the UK.
Different Muslim attitudes to equal rights for women in religion and the reasons for
them.
The nature of the UK as a multi-ethnic society, including the problems of discrimination
and racism.
Government action to promote community cohesion in the UK, including legislation on
equal rights for ethnic minorities and religions.
The work of a Muslim organisation to help asylum seekers and/or immigrant workers in
the UK, including the reasons for the work and its importance and significance.
Why Muslims should help to promote racial harmony.
Differences among Muslims in their attitudes to other religions(exclusivism, inclusivism,
pluralism).
The UK as a multi-faith society, including the benefits of living in a multi-faith society.
Issues raised for religion by a multi-faith society conversion, bringing up children,
interfaith marriages.
Ways in which religions work to promote community cohesion in the UK.

How an issue arising from religion and community cohesion has been presented in one
form of the media, for example television or radio programme, or in a film, or in the
national press; including whether the treatment was fair to religious beliefs and religious
people.
Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion

RELIGION AND COMMUNITY COHESION

KEYWORDS

community cohesion a common vision and shared sense of belonging for all
groups in society
discrimination treating people less favourably because of their
ethnicity/gender/colour/ sexuality/age/class
ethnic minority a member of an ethnic group (race) which is much smaller
than the majority group
interfaith marriages marriage where the husband and wife are from differen
religions
multi-ethnic society many different races and cultures living together in one
society
multi-faith society many different religions living together in one society
prejudice believing some people are inferior or superior without even knowing
them
racial harmony different races/colours living together happily
racism the belief that some races are superior to others
religious freedom the right to practise your religion and change your religion
religious pluralism accepting all religions as having an equal right to coexist
sexism discriminating against people because of their gender (being male or
female)
Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion

How and why attitudes to the roles of men and

women have changed

Traditionally certain roles have seemed more suited to certain

genders.

Advances in Equal Rights for

The Qualification of Women
Act 1918 gave women over 31 the
Women
right to vote in elections. In 1928 the age was lowered to 21 to be

the same as men. Today all people over the age of 18 can vote.
The Equal Pay Act 1970 ensures men and women are paid
equally for doing the same jobs.
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 made it illegal to discriminate
against any person because of their gender (sex).

Why Attitudes Have Changed Towards Women

During the First and Second World Wars women had to take on
the jobs previously done by men and proved they could do them
just as well.
Successful women in business and politics around the world show
that women are every bit equal to men
UN Declaration of Human Rights includes equality for all people
no matter of race or gender.
Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion
3

WOMEN IN ISLAM
The Quran puts equal religious duties on men and women. Men and
women are equal in the eyes of Allah and they will be judged equally on
judgement day
OTHER ROLES OF WOMEN

ROLE AS A MOTHER

The most important role a women has is to be a

mother.
Muhammad said Paradise lies at the feet of your
mother

Women are the heart of the family.

A Muslim woman is responsible for the care of the home and the
welfare of the family, but is allowed to go to work and earn her
own money.

The education of women is considered to be very important in

Islam. Muhammad* said: The search for knowledge is a duty for
every Muslim.

Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion

The Effects of Discrimination & Racism

Racism and
discrimination in
society can lead
to the rise in
groups such as
the BNP who
encourage
division between
different ethnic
groups in
society.

If certain groups
feel that they are
being treated
unfairly by society,
they may become
insular, cut
themselves off from
society, and even
work against that
society.
In 2001, white and
Asian youths from
communities isolated
themselves off from
each other, rioted
and attacked and
killed each other on
the streets of Oldham,
Burnley and Bradford.
Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion

 The July 7th (2005)

bombers were
British citizens who
had lost their
sense of
allegiance to
Britain and were
prepared to kill
because they felt
society worked
against them.

It is thought
that some young
people from
minority
backgrounds turn
to crime because
they cannot see
a future for
themselves in a
discriminating
society.
Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion

Police believe
that when
people feel
discriminated
against they are
more likely to
join extremist
groups and take
part in acts of
terrorism.

The Law & Racism

The Race Relations Act 1976

It is unlawful to discriminate against anyone because of

race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin in regard to jobs,
training, housing, education, and services.
It is unlawful to use threatening, abusive or insulting words in
public that could stir up in racial hatred.
It is unlawful to publish anything that is likely to cause
racial hatred.
Leading to...

The Commission for Racial Equality

An organisation set up by the Government
in 1976 to enforce the Race Relations Act.
To advice the Government on how the law
was working and any necessary alterations.
To promote the concept of equal opportunities.
Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion

Government Action to Promote Community Cohesion

Community Cohesion: when a common vision and shared
sense of belonging exists for all groups in society.
Education

Funding

Community Cohesion was

Giving financial support to
made part of the national
groups and community projects
curriculum
which
in 2006. Ofsted judge all
promote equality and unity or
schools on
provide research in to
how they include communityWhat can
the best
ways of achieving
cohesion into their lessons be done to
Community
and overall school life.
Cohesion.
promote
Laws
People

community
Passing laws such as the cohesion?

Establishing
Race Relations Act and the
groups such as the
Crime and Disorder Act and the Race
Equality and Human Rights Commission
and Religious Hatred Act which make
to ensure government laws are
it illegal to discriminate against
acted upon. Making sure all
people
groups in society are represented
or encourage hatred due to
fairly in education, social services,
8
race or religion. Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community
policeCohesion
and government.

Over the years Muslim

Aid has provided
financial support for
students, patients,
asylum seekers, and
families in distress in the
UK.
Muslim Aid aims to
provide support for those
in need to improve their
quality of life.

Eligibility Criteria for the grants are:

Patients suffering from life

threatening diseases;
Families in distress due to death
of the breadwinner;
Victims of disasters who need
funds to rebuild their lives;
Students in the last stage of their
course (mainly higher education)
facing financial problems due to
unexpected calamity in their
families;
Women victims of abuse;

Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion

HOW RACIAL HARMONY IS SHOWN

All wear white
Ihram

Stand shoulder to
shoulder in
prayer

All pray together

on Friday
Jummah

Hajj
(pilgrimage)

All pray in
Arabic

All face Mecca

when praying
Teaches respect
to al races, ages,
faiths
Accepts different
cultures
Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion

How
racial
harmony
is shown

All judged equally on

Judgement day
All fast in
Ramadan

The Quran teaches that racism is

wrong, because regardless of
differences, all people have the
same common origin; 'Allah created
you from a single being... out of him
spread many men and women'. 10

M U S L I M S I N T H E I R ATT I T U DE S T O O T H E R R EL I G I O N S
Exclusivism

Inclusivism

Pluralism

Most Muslims believe

that only Islam has
Gods true
message and so
everyone should be
reverted to Islam
otherwise they will
not get to Paradise

Some Muslims believe you

should only go to Paradise
by accepting Allah and his
teachings, but, some
members of other religions
and some may also be able
to go to Paradise.

Accepting all religions

as equally valid and
correct and can all
coexist

Some people dont

If you dont believe in
know about Islam.
Allah you cannot get to
People respond to what
paradise. There is only
they know about God
one saving truth, namely counts. Your actions and
the Words of Allah and
how you live is most
the example of
important
Muhammad.
So some people may
The Quran says Muslims be able to get to
who give up the faith
Paradise even if they
deserve to die.
not Muslim
Unit are
4: S4 Religion
& Community Cohesion

Muslim men are able to

marry women of the
book with out them
reverting to Islam. the
Quran implies that Jews
and Christians have
some of the truth about
God; the Quran says
there should be no
compulsion in religion.
You do not have to be
Muslim to get to
11
Paradise all religions

Multi-Faith Britain
Most people believe that individuals have the right to
believe in the god of their choice and follow the religion
they choose.

Religious Freedom:
The right to practice
your religion and
change your religion if
you want to.

Outline of Religious
belief in Britain - 2001
Christian 42,558,000
8,197,221
No Religion
No Answer4,823,000
1,591,207
Muslim
558,746
Hindu
336,040
Sikh
267,711
Jewish
149,237
Buddhist
157,000
Other Religion

Every 10 years the

British Government holds
a census (national
questionnaire) of the
population. The purpose
is to build an accurate
picture of Britain today.
One question is about
HM Office of National Statistics 2001
Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion
12
Census
peoples religious belief.

Interfaith Marriages
As a multi-faith society expands there will be people from
different religions who fall in love and want to marry. But,
does it matter?

YES

Religious wedding services

NO

Most religions encourage

are difficult as each religion

has its own unique style.

equality - why not in

interfaith marriages also?

The religion of any children

may cause conflict.

Interfaith marriages might

encourage religious tolerance
between families.

Funeral services will be a

problem for family members
from other religious
traditions.

Children will have a wider

understanding from which to

choose their own faith.

Islam allows men to marry

Some family members may
Christian or Jewish women
feel a person has betrayed
without them reverting to
their faith by marrying a
Islam.
person with an opposing
13
Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion
view.

Film/

White Girl

Issue

Community cohesion A white family move into a predominately

Asian Muslim area and have to adjust to the more diverse
surroundings.

Why is the issue

important?

Community cohesion and how different religions and races get along
with each other

Was the presentation

fair to religious people
and beliefs?

Fair:

The Muslim family are portrayed well as caring, loving

strongly religious family
There are strong Muslim role models throughout the
film
They should the importance of prayer in the film
The mother of the man character is a loving mother
who struggles to do the best for her kids.
Does present problems and prejudices that
communities may have of other another.
Unfair
While the Muslim family is positively portrayed in the
film the extended family of the main character is
unfairly portrayed as racist, drug dealing drunks.
Generally the white characters in the family are
portrayed badly and so this would not be a fair
representation of the white community.
Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion

14

Film/
Programme watched

East is East
Bend it like Beckham

Issue

Community cohesion how modern life conflicts with traditional

values of parents

Why is the issue

important?

This reflects the difficulty people can have growing up part of a

different faith and culture from mainstream society

Was the presentation fair

to religious people and
beliefs?

Fair:
Families were loving and generally happy
Parents wanted what was best for their children and thought
the traditional way was best
Religion was not really the source of conflict but culture.
Dads were worried what other people and families thought
of their kids rather than the right thing to do in their faith
Unfair
Dad in East is East seemed out of touch and a hypocrite.
Kids in East is East were disrespectful to Islam did not show
the value of Islam in community cohesion
Forced marriage is against the teaching of Islam this was not
clear in the film

Unit 4: S4 Religion & Community Cohesion

15