Muslim Students’ Religious and Cultural Experiences in the Micro-publics of University Campuses in NSW, Australia

Abstract

students' religious and cultural experiences in the micro-publics of university campuses in NSW, Australia. Australian Geographer 2016, 47(3), 311-324.

International Muslim Students

“…The campus is known to be a diverse environment and a fundamental place for students from various backgrounds to interrelate with one another on a day-to-day basis (Bennett, Volet, & Fozdar, 2013). Since the beginning of the new century all over the world universities have started to study the dynamics and societal effects of differing religious and sociocultural backgrounds (Gilliat-Ray, 2007;Hopkins, 2011;Possamai et al, 2016). Universities are being forced to contemplate the necessities and inferences of a new generation of students from a diversity of different religious customs (Gilliat-Ray, 2007).…”

“…Campuses need to create a safe zone and raise cultural awareness among faculty, staff, and students to ensure a welcoming environment, not just for Muslim students, but for all students. The formation of safe areas has shown to be quite successful in providing Muslim students areas to explore their identities together through hosting cultural and spiritual events (Possamai et al, 2016;Seggie & Sanford, 2010). It also helps to host educational and awareness programs regarding Islam.…”

Muslim students’ cultural and religious experiences in city, suburban and regional university campuses in NSW, Australia

“…Data from a previous publication (Possamai et al, 2016) revealed Australian Muslim university students as having a strong religiosity. They are at ease with showing external signs of their religion, and attending a university campus does not appear to reduce religious commitment.…”

“…The dynamics and social effects of growing religious and socio-cultural diversity at universities has been researched extensively across the world since the beginning of the new century (Andersson et al, 2012;Batorowicz, 2007;Dutton, 2008;Gilliat-Ray, 2000;Hopkins, 2011;Jacobson & Jacobson, 2012;Possamai & Brackenreg, 2009;Possamai et al, 2014;Possamai et al, 2016;Sharma & Guest, 2013). This research continues to point out that there is still much to be known about how universities can better encourage inter-faith and intercultural understanding and interaction in light of their diversifying populations.…”

“…Close to 40 per cent had remained with the same level of religiosity. While our previous research (Possamai et al, 2016) treated these respondents as part of a single group of university campuses, this article pushes the analysis forward by taking into account the literature above. The data has not been analysed specifically with regards to the social-geographical location of the campus, and this is the main aim of this article.…”