I have only been living in London for a few months, and it is already clear that London truly lives up to its claim of being the most diverse city in the world. I have heard more languages, seen more types of food, and met people from more nationalities than I have ever experienced in a single city before. Missing Amman, I was overly excited when I found a falafel (fried chickpea) shop on the corner of my street in London. And missing home last weekend, I seized the opportunity to check out the ‘American diner’ near my university.
As an Arabic minor, I was especially interested in the Arab culture represented in the city. Islam is the second most popular religion in the United Kingdom, with 4.6 percent of the population in the United Kingdom identified as Muslim, according to a 2010 Pew report. This statistic is comparable to the less than one percent of the population that Muslims represent in the United States, a country that claims similar ethnic and religious diversity. There are many reasons for the large Muslim population. Europe is a close neighbor to the Middle East, and with few job opportunities for the young and educated populations in countries like Jordan and Egypt, and a lack of stability in many others, youth often look to Europe or the Gulf for opportunities of employment. Even relatively stable Middle Eastern countries, such as Jordan, have unemployment rates that hover around 12 percent. The already fierce competition for employment is compounded by the refugee crisis that affects nearly every country in the region. And though many countries have employment restrictions that prevent refugees from working in their new countries, some find ways to work illegally, especially in rural areas of the country. Other refugees will travel to Europe to seek asylum. UNHCR reports that “Between January and July 2013, a total of 225,000 asylum applications were lodged in 38 European countries,” a dramatic increase from previous years.
Over a million Muslims live in London alone, making up a significant 12 percent of the population. However, this figure may be starting to decrease. The Economist featured a recent piece called the “London Effect,” which described the phenomenon of minority groups moving outward from the city of London to more rural or suburban areas of England, due to the increasing cost of city life and increased access to London through public transportation. Modernization of infrastructure will allow families to remain in the United Kingdom and live cheaper while not preventing parents to keep jobs in the city, but it may create a reduction of diversity in the city, as minorities move into suburban England, and eventually a socioeconomic divide.
Overall, diversity and tolerance are central themes in the city. I have observed that students in my courses seem to have an amazing knowledge and respect for many religions and ethnicities. This seems to be in part due to the ease of travel and freedom of movement encouraged by the European Union. Many of my peers had traveled throughout Europe, not to mention in Asia and the Middle East, by the time they were teenagers. It is perhaps no surprise that there appears to be a correlation between freedom of movement and the sense of tolerance and acceptance that pervades the city.