A new study has revealed most Bradford-born Pakistani men consider themselves British and are loyal to their home city.

The in-depth but small study was carried out by the University of Bradford to gather insights and experiences from 25 Bradfordian men of Pakistani and Muslim heritage aged between 16 and 38.

Despite varying experiences of racism, poverty and other social inequalities, the British-Pakistani men involved felt a positive connection to Bradford and to their smaller communities.

They saw it as a city of opportunity and found that community and family links provided a comfort zone which formed an integral part of their lives.

Report author Yunis Alam, a lecturer in social sciences at the University of Bradford, said: "To these men, the material and social resources that have been developed in Bradford are much valued and help improve their day-to-day lives. The viability of their city-wide and local communities allows active, positive participation as both Bradfordian and British citizens."

Nisar Afsar, debt advice co-ordinator for charity The Family Welfare Association, based on Bradford's Canterbury estate, said: "I am proud of being British and enjoy living in Bradford. But I think it's important for Muslims to work with statutory bodies and people of all races to encourage integration. We all need to work together for the benefit of society."

Bary Malik, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Bradford, said: "Despite some differences that we have with the policy of the Government, Britain is an ideal place to live. There is no 100 per cent integration in schools, a wonderful thing because it reflects the future. If you took young Asian men away from Bradford they would miss it - and the fish and chips!"

One of the participants in the study said: "Some people support a footy team, I support what's around me. Bradford's my city, Undercliffe is my own backyard. I can't see myself leaving here for anywhere else."

Arshad Javed, chief executive of Asian Trades Link, said: "The majority of people we deal with are people who are born here. They don't have any fanciful ideas about another land they want to go back to. This is where they are, they want to stay and they want to make the place better."

Arranged marriages were not universally viewed as the preferred way of choosing a partner and many said ways of finding a partner were changing. While Islam was closely linked to the men's identity and political beliefs, they did not feel this conflicted with their sense of Britishness.

The men's British identity was also reflected in their feelings about Pakistan, with the country seen more as a place of heritage than a future homeland.

Keighley MP Ann Cryer said she was delighted to hear young men of Pakistani origin were proud of Bradford, but added: "What about young Asian women? I want those intelligent, lively, attractive women to play as big a part in the future of Bradford as white women or Asian men."

e-mail: will.kilner @bradford.newsquest.co.uk

WHAT ASIAN BRADFORDIANS SAID

Mohamed Sumar, 19, a student, of Oakworth: "I grew up in Bradford. I am British - it's in my blood. I am proud of where I come from."

Mohammed Kahn, 38, of Thornbury: "I moved here from Pakis-tan when I was ten. I feel proud of Bradford and proud to be British."

Adheem Azhav, 17, a student, of Toller Lane, Heaton: " I enjoy living in Bradford and get along with people from all races. At school we all work together."

Mohammed Hussain, 20, a student, of Undercliffe: "Some of the media always look at the nega-tive side of things. I am proud to be British."

Ikram Akram, 17, a student, of Oak Lane, Heaton: "I am British. Some people tend to look at the Asian elders and judge young Asian men in the same way."

Shakil Mohammed, 28, a salesman, of Manningham: "I lived in London and moved to Bradford. I like the city. Race is not just about colour. I am British."