Chris Allen – University of Derby 16th November 2012

Anti-social networking: Facebook as site & method for

researching anti-Muslim and anti-Islam opposition

Islamophobia & Anti-Muslim Hate

Case study on Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred in West

Midlands

Part of wider project for European Muslim Research Centre,

University of Exeter

Allen in Githens-Mazer & Lambert (2010)

“No Solihull Mosque” Facebook Group

“Even if they did build a dirty mosque we would just throw pigs

guts at it!!!”

“These bastards will not go away and until we kick them all out

and send them back to their own countries we will have to

continue fighting this war. But every time a Muslim blows

himself up or abuses a white person or tries to take over a

neighbourhood we gain more supporters. Time is actually on

our side and all of Europe is itching to kick these useless

perverts out of Europe. I do not know one person who wants

Muslims in Europe”

1,600+ members, 1,000+ messages posted in a fortnight

Allen (2010)

Social Media & Facebook

Back et al’s (2010) unlike other forms of social media,

Facebook users tend to have profiles which reflect the

individual named

Markham & Baym’s (2009) notes the shifting nature of the

private and public:

“[social media highlights] the willingness of private citizens to

bare the most personal and private elements of their lives to

mass audiences” (p.xi)

About the Project

Recognition that social media – in this instance, Facebook –

had potential both as a site for research as indeed research

method also

Interested in social movements and the similarities/ differences

between ‘real’ and ‘virtual’ spaces

Employ Weberian theoretical framework to explore how groups

and networks function in the virtual spaces (Chesters & Welsh

2006, Hindman 2008, and Salter 2003)

Engage Facebook group members using online methods only

Improve knowledge about social media and digital

methodologies

Methodological Approach

Identified Facebook Groups opposing the Dudley mosque

Joined largest group: “Stop Dudley Super Mosque & Islamic

Village” (19,000+ members)

Overt approach: used personal Facebook profile

Ethics: posted a statement on joining to set out my intentions

Methodological Approach

Posted a statement on the group’s wall inviting members to

discuss their opposition to the mosque

Just a few responded, most appeared reluctant to engage

using ‘direct messages’ or emails

Apparent contradiction between willingness to post explicit

messages on the group’s wall yet seemingly unwilling to

convey similar via direct or more specific forms of

communication

Methodological Approach

Consideration of whether ‘direct’ approaches might, in the

context of Facebook, be seen to constitute ‘face-to-face

contact’

As Lee (2000) notes, ‘face-to-face’ methods can result in

participants being less likely to engage and decidedly less open

Back et al’s (2010) note need to close the gap between actual

and self-idealised personalities on Facebook

New approach to reinstate critical distance

Offer anonymity to afford greater protection (Lee, 2000)

Methodological Approach

Direct messaged 50 most active/ most recent wall posters

Direct messaged them with a link to ‘online interview’ included

‘open’ and ‘closed’ questions

10 questions

3 quantitative: gender, age, location

7 qualitative: to explore reasons for opposing the mosque,

about the situation in Dudley, handling of the affair (DMA,

DMC, others), impact on local communities/ cohesion

Questions about demography, reasons for opposing

Methodological Approach

Total of 65 interviews completed

Snowballing

All interviews were of a reasonable standard, most were good

with some excellent

Extensive use of ‘text-speak’

Wide range of different views and arguments put forward

Thematic analysis undertaken

Male 61%

Female 39%

Gender

Under 18 11%

19-25 25%

26-40 34%

41-60 25%

Over 60 5%

Age

Dudley town 36%

Dudley surrounds

25% Black Country

11%

Birmingham 2%

West Midlands 3% Elsewhere

23%

Location

Themes: Planning & Location

“I am opposed to the proposed building being constructed on the site at

Hall St as the site was designated as industrial land for the creation of

jobs. A mosque does not fit the criteria and was rightly (in my opinion)

refused planning permission based on planning rules. It does not help

when the DMA say they will press on with the plans apparently with no

thought for anyones legitimate objections”

“Because the land it will be built on was originally earmarked to provide

jobs in the local community for all. An urban regeneration project. The

mosque will do absolutely nothing to help integration in the area and

will become a symbol of the already festering resentment that ethnic

groups are treated more "fairly" than the indigenous population”

Themes: Heritage

“because they've got enough and it will ruin the heritage of

Dudley”

“Is does not go with the heritage of dudley it will dominate the

towns picturesque skyline…”

“…Dudley is in the Black Country, known for the Black Country

museum and it's history, also the Zoo and Castle. In years to

come it will be known for this proposed mosque. It was thought

to be planned to be higher than 'Top Church', is this a

statement?”

Themes: Islam/Muslims as ‘Problem’

“Mosques are places of hate where Muslims can be

brainwashed into serving "their" lord”

“...a lot of very violent actions are promoted by the muslim

community, this worries me about their intentions...these look out

posts ( i know what they say they are) i've noticed increased

security and design of the buildings seem more fortified castles

than spiritual houses...”

“According to reports in the media, mosques currently in

existence would appear to be hotbeds of extremism...media

reports have produced what would seem to be conclusive proof

that a great deal of what is preached by the Imams is filled with

hate and incitement to cause harm”

Themes: Islamification

“islam is taking over britain. british people are becoming second

class citizens in their own community”

“…the islamification of these shores is not acceptable!! No to

sharia law”

“because this is england we let them in without a problem let

them live english lives seing as they are in england and then

they try and turn it into a muslim islamic place and that isnt the

worst part the worst is that after that and when thhe numbers

grow they will attempt to overtake the country and win the

general election due to numbers and then imply sharia law and

i dont care to see that happen to my country”

Themes: Islamophobia & Racism

“Because Dudley use to belong to us white people not

foreigners”

“as an edl member i feal that the peeps off dudley av just been

ignord thats y we the edl do wot as to be done”

“Because it mean more paki's will communte into the dudley

area, thus creating a curry infested atmosphere and I for one

despise the cunts”

Themes: Lack of ‘voice’

“Because the majority of people in Dudley don't want it but their

protests fall on deaf ears!”

“because the local community opposed it, but as per usual no

one listens”

“because i support the people of dudley who are clearly against

it, and the council who also turned down the proposal, until

intervention from the gorvernment who care nothing for the

people of dudley”

Concluding Thoughts: Social Action

Facebook and social media will be increasingly seen as a site

where individuals are able to engage with other individuals with

shared interests

Gurak & Logie (2003) put it:

“the highly specialised virtual spaces on the internet make it

easy to join a community and quickly understand and assume

this community ethos...often, participants do not have to spend

time making introductory remarks or defending the premises of

their statements. This 'instant ethos' makes it easy to reach

many individuals of similar values" (p.31)

Concluding Thoughts: Social Action

Perceived lack of opportunities to engage and find a voice in

the ‘real spaces’

Online spaces provide greater and more immediate

opportunities to find a voice and have that voice duly valorised

Social action ‘virtual’ spaces reflects that in the ‘real’ spaces:

coming together of individuals with a shared interest with which

to act

Individual subjectivities are lessened in ‘virtual’ spaces given

the lack of any need to introduce or justify

Concluding Thoughts: Digital Methods

Social media and networking sites offer a wide range of new and

exciting possibilities for research, both as a method but so too as

a site also

New range of tools and approaches that present opportunities

albeit with the need for further exploration

Suggestion that such methods are fast, efficient and extremely

cost-effective

Findings suggest that digital methods and approaches reflect

‘real’ research problems

Issues of distance and positionality affected by shifting

boundaries of the public and private

@DrChrisAllen

Chris Allen

www.chris-allen.co.uk

c.allen.2@bham.ac.uk

07940 537691

about.me/drchrisallen