Dual Identity and Place Attachment to Islamic Third Spaces in the United States

Hassnaa Mohammed

Abstract


There are currently more than 3.45 million Muslims in the United States, for whom new typologies of Islamic spaces are developing to meet their needs. One of these spaces is an organizational typology referred to as a third space.  Islamic third spaces are novel socio-religious environments that seek to support the needs of young U.S. Muslims. In the current exploratory cross-sectional study, I adopt an environmental psychology lens to explore how attachment to third spaces impacts dual identification. Data gathered from 110 U.S. Muslim third-space attendees show a significant positive relationship between participants’ place attachment to third spaces and their dual identification. Demographic variables, including gender, race or ethnicity, immigration status, and Islamic religious status, did not impact dual identification. In conclusion, developing and maintaining significant places for Muslims, such as third spaces, is one way to promote a well-integrated U.S.-Muslim identity.

Keywords


Dual identity, U.S. Muslims, Third Spaces, Place Attachment, Community Development.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21043/qijis.v13i1.23864

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