Interfaith Networks, the African Diaspora and Development: The Case of the United Kingdom

Abstract

The problem of violence, terrorism, and radicalisation has triggered studies exploring the extent to which religion supports particular ideologies. Multicultural societies such as the United Kingdom are prone to these attacks, which are blamed on ethnic minorities. Such tensions are a source of inequalities between ethnic minorities and the host nation’s populace. The 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (for example, SDG10) is focused on reducing inequalities within and among countries. There is a gap in understanding the contribution of interfaith networks to development in African diaspora communities and fulfilling SDG10. African Diaspora communities play a vital role in development in both sending and host nations, nonetheless development means different things to diverse communities. In particular, the African diaspora communities bring unique insights and contributions to both interfaith networks and notions of development. The question is the nexus between diaspora, interfaith networks and development. Using the United Kingdom as a case study, this study theorises what interfaith networks must consider being relevant to development in African diaspora communities. The study used ‘interfaith dialogue’ as a conceptual framework, and data is text-based. The findings showed that interfaith networks in the United Kingdom used ‘interfaith dialogues’ to mitigate the problem of violence, terrorism and radicalisation. Further, interfaith networks contribute differently to international development. This study concludes that interfaith networks dealing with African diaspora communities should consider financial remittances, generational gaps and communications, identity, and religious affiliations as a framework for development.KeywordsAfrican diasporaMigration mattersDevelopmentInterfaith networksSDG10