Muslim Britain: communities under pressure

Tahir Abbas ed. Zed books, paperback, 256 pages, £17.99

This is an informative book on the Muslim community in Britain. According to the 2001 census there are 1.6 million Muslims living in the UK with Pakistanis accounting for 43% and Bangladeshis 16% of the population.

Data shows that the Muslim population is relatively young while other indicators point to high levels of social deprivation and lack of education. Pakistani and Bangladeshi populations have the highest levels of unemployment of all of Britain's ethnic groups, which at 16% is five times higher than for the population as a whole.

Pakistani and Bangladeshi women have the lowest economic participation rate of any ethnic minority group. Only 25% of women from these groups aged over 16 are in employment.

The book makes it clear that the Muslim community is not one homogenous block, but made up of a diverse set of multiethnic communities.