What is (and isn’t) the YMAG?

The YMAG stands for the Young Muslims Advisory Group. It is made up of 23 young Muslims representing:

• an age range of 17 to 26

• a broad range of backgrounds and experiences

• the ethnic and denominational diversity of Muslim communities in the UK

• a gender balance of members

• all government office regions in England

The YMAG is an advisory group. Its role is to:

• serve as a resource, be critical friends and to work with government to improve policy making and policy delivery

• generate ideas based on evidence, facts, expertise and consultation

• provide strategic advice, recommendations and solutions to government – based on evidence, research, facts and consultation – representing accurately the diversity of views and opinions of those it has been tasked with representing.

The YMAG isn’t a lobby group, so its role is not to:

• issue directives or have any formal authority on final policy decisions

• allow outside interests, campaigns or opinions to influence its work.

The government convenes a number of different groups, made up of members of the public or experts in particular fields, to advise it on policy development. These are publicly funded groups rather then independent lobby groups. Some are set up to cover a particular issue (such as knife crime) while others look at more long-standing issues (such as climate change). Groups like these help to ensure government policy and delivery of services will serve the public interest well.

What does the YMAG do?

The YMAG has five main areas of activity:

• facilitating an ongoing and meaningful dialogue between government and young people about the experience of being a young Muslim in England.

• providing young people with the opportunity to influence government strategy and policy on issues that affect them.

• exploring the causes and impact of violent extremism, and the underlying causes of disaffection amongst Muslim young people and Muslim communities.

• supporting and encouraging young people to participate in their communities to tackle disaffection, increase civic engagement, respond to concerns felt by other young people and encourage communication between the generations

• supporting young people to develop the confidence and skills they need to make appropriate contributions to the development of their communities and actively to engage with the media.

The YMAG has already conducted some consultations, met with ministers and hosted a national youth conference, as well as speaking at local and national events.

The YMAG has a plan of activity and projects that it wants to take forward – examples of our latest developments are on the home page.

What are some of the issues the YMAG will be working on?

In their applications to join, individual YMAG members highlighted the issues that they considered important for young Muslims in Britain today. These are just some of the issues that the YMAG members will be highlighting through their work with communities and government, and through their engagement with the media.

• Discrimination. Challenging attitudes towards young Muslims and perceptions about them. Several candidates for the YMAG talked about their experience of religious discrimination, many linking this experience to a feeling of isolation from mainstream society, which can in turn make individuals vulnerable to exploitation by extremists. In particular, they gave the example of Muslim women wearing the hijab headscarf as often being targets of discrimination. In the most extreme cases, this has taken the form of public harassment and even physical attacks. 

• Identity. Examining whether there is a conflict between being British and being Muslim, how this can create a sense of dislocation and how people can address it. Most applicants raised issues to do with ‘multiple identities’. Some felt they had to act differently at home than they did in broader social circles. This conflict results in young people being pulled between different cultures (traditional cultures of their parents and the western culture they are growing up in) and between generations. Some felt that there were tensions between being British and Muslim, whereas others did not see this as problematic. 

• Integration. The YMAG members feel more effort is needed to increase integration so that young Muslims are able to play a full and active role in mainstream society. This includes having a bigger presence in government decision-making on issues affecting their lives. 

• Extremism/radicalisation. Radical extremists who play on grievances and distort Islam to justify extremism are a problem. Young Muslims have a unique perspective on what can be done to protect and support vulnerable individuals to prevent them being exploited.  

• Media stereotyping. Many YMAG members thought that media portrayals are a key factor in the public perception of Muslims and Islam. Many believed the YMAG could be used to introduce the media to a diverse range of young Muslims who represent ordinary British Muslims, to ensure more balanced debate. 

• Education and employment. Rates of entry into higher education are greater among Pakistani and Bangladeshi young people than among their white counterparts. However, they are concentrated in a relatively small number of universities and courses. Pakistani and Bangladeshi young people are far less likely than white graduates to achieve a first or upper second class degree. In 2003/4, the employment rate of Muslim graduates was lower than for all graduates. In 2004, a third (33 per cent) of Muslims of working age in Britain did not have any qualifications – the highest proportion for any religious group and twice as high as the figure of the total population (16 per cent).

• Foreign policy. Some YMAG members see the UK's foreign policy towards Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan as an attack on Muslims/Islam.

• Youth provision/services. Some YMAG members complained about the lack of things for young people to do and about support services not reaching Muslim communities.

How can I contribute?

There are many ways that you can contribute. Use the form on our Contact page to say how you’d like to contribute and what you’d like to get involved in. A member of the YMAG, a member of the government or one of the supporting organisations for the YMAG – depending on the nature of your question – will get back to you.

You can also go the ‘Events’ page to see what local and national events are coming up.

I’m not Muslim. Can I contact the YMAG and get involved?

Yes. the YMAG exists to explore the issues affecting young people – all young people, from all faiths (including those with no faith).

Use the form on our Contact page to say how you’d like to contribute and what you’d like to get involved in. A member of the YMAG, a member of the government or one of the supporting organisations for the YMAG – depending on the nature of your question – will get back to you.

How is the YMAG organised?

The YMAG has agreed on a set of governance principles and processes to ensure it has clear lines of communication, decision-making and accountability. In February 2009, the YMAG voted for a chair and vice-chair for the group, and agreed that the the YMAG project work will be taken forward via a number of working groups, each led by a designated member.

How long will the YMAG exist for?

The YMAG will exist until July 2010.