ABSTRACT
Through thematic and small story narrative analysis, based on semi-structured interviews and multiple focused discussion groups, this empirical chapter explores how first and second generation Muslims relate to the non-Muslim community they interact with daily in the Irish-European context. Attention is placed on themes that specifically deal with perceived forms of misrecognition, such as negative media stereotyping and various forms of everyday discrimination in the wider sphere of social interaction as well as misrecognition in the legal sphere in terms of how denizenship status puts direct and indirect limitations on rights of residence and social opportunities. The impact of misrecognition is explored as well as how Muslims struggle against such disrespect to regain a positive relation-to-self. The streams of narrative presented highlight identity dilemmas. The last section explores these identity issues by focusing on narratives that show how being different to the dominant identity standard supersedes universal sameness to others in terms of being recognised as a citizen and human being. It also gives a unique insight into how the research participants relate to being Irish as well as how Muslim youth struggle to have their multiple identities legitimately recognised by others in context.
