Transnational Migration, Diaspora, and Identity: A Study of Kurdish Diaspora in London - Hardcover

by Ayar Ata (Author)

This book explores a common but almost forgotten historical argument that positions the Kurds as powerless victims of the First World War (WW1). To this end, the book looks critically at the unfavourable political situations of the Kurds in the post-WW1 era, which began with the emergence of three new modern nation-states in the Middle East--Turkey, Iraq, and Syria--as well as related modernising events in Iran. It demonstrates the dire consequences of oppressive international and regional state policies against the Kurds, which led to mass displacement and forced migration of the Kurds from the 1920s on. The first part of the book sets out the context required to explain the historic and systematic sociopolitical marginalisation of the Kurds in the Middle Eastern region until the present day. In the second part, the book attempts to explain the formation of Kurdish diaspora communities in different European cities, and to describe their new and positive shifting position from victims in the Middle East to active citizens in Europe. This book examines Kurdish diaspora integration and identity in some major cities in Sweden, Finland and Germany, with a specific focus and an in-depth discussion on the negotiation of multiculturalism in London. This book uncovers the gaps in the existing literature, and critically highlights the dominance of policy- and politics-driven research in this field, thereby justifying the need for a more radical social constructivist approach by recognising flexible, multifaceted, and complex human cultural behaviours in different situations through the consideration of the lived experiences and by presenting more direct voices of members of the Kurdish diaspora in London, and by articulating the new and radical concept of Kurdish Londoner.

Back Jacket

"Ayar Ata's carefully researched and partially auto-ethnographic book is an important contribution to the literature on transnational diaspora. In particular, the concept of 'Kurdish-Londoner' challenges fixed notions of nation state identity and highlights the geopolitical and cultural significance of cities as sites of meaning-making."
--Christina Clark-Kazak, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa

"The book offers valuable insights into the background and developing identity of 'Kurdish Londoners', here described in the context of modern theories about migration. A welcome contribution to our knowledge of Kurdish communities."
--Philip G. Kreyenbroek, University of Göttingen

This book explores a common but almost forgotten historical argument that positions the Kurds as powerless victims of the First World War (WW1).The first part of the book sets out the context required to explain the historic and systematic sociopolitical marginalisation of the Kurds in the Middle Eastern region until the present day. In the second part, the book attempts to explain the formation of Kurdish diaspora communities in different European cities, and to describe their new and positive shifting position from victims in the Middle East to active citizens in Europe. This book examines Kurdish diaspora integration and identity in some major cities in Sweden, Finland and Germany, with a specific focus and an in-depth discussion on the negotiation of multiculturalism in London. This book uncovers the gaps in the existing literature, and critically highlights the dominance of policy- and politics-driven research in this field, thereby justifying the need for a more radical social constructivist approach by recognising flexible, multifaceted, and complex human cultural behaviours in different situations through the consideration of the lived experiences and by presenting more direct voices of members of the Kurdish diaspora in London, and by articulating the new and radical concept of Kurdish Londoner. ​

Ayar Ata is a front line migrant integration consultant, trainer, adviser, advocate, and a freelance researcher in London, UK. He earned his doctorate from London South Bank University in 2017, with a focus on transnational migration, integration, and multiculturalism in London.

Author Biography

Ayar Ata is a front line migrant integration consultant, trainer, adviser, advocate, and a freelance researcher in London, UK. He earned his doctorate from London South Bank University in 2017, with a focus on transnational migration, integration, and multiculturalism in London.