Halal dating: Changing relationship attitudes and experiences among young British Muslims

Young Muslims in the UK are making space to gain greater control over their personal lives through the diction of ‘halal’ and ‘haram’ when reflecting on and negotiating personal relationships. This paper explores the significance of ‘halal dating’ within the lived experiences and sexual relationships of young British Muslims. It draws upon 56 in-depth interviews conducted with young (16-30 years) British Muslims of Pakistani heritage. Young British Muslims do date, or have dated, and by entertaining the idea that certain forms of dating may be halal, young Muslims are finding and claiming agency to make relationship choices of their own.