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Religious Identity Formation Among Bangladeshi American Muslim Adolescents

Columbia University, New York City

Lisa Miller

Columbia University, New York City

Although Islam is the fastest growing religion in America, very little research has been conducted on the lived experiences of Muslim-Americans. In this pilot study, the first of its kind, the process of religious identity formation among Bangladeshi-American Muslim adolescents is explored. Sixteen participants (6 males) completed semistructured interviews, and this qualitative data was analyzed using a Grounded Theory approach. Based on the findings of this exploratory study, a preliminary understanding of religious identity formation in Bangladeshi-American Muslim adolescents is presented and discussed in detail. Our qualitative interviews uncovered the presence of two distinct groups of adolescents with respect to religious identity formation—internal seekers and external seekers. Finally, through our thematic analysis, we uncovered several factors that facilitate the formation of religious identity in this population. While this research is only preliminary, it is hoped that this research provides valuable information on the religious identities of Bangladeshi-American Muslim adolescents.

Key Words: Muslim • adolescent • identity • Bangladesh • religion

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