Leadership Authority And Representation In British Muslim Communities

The contributions explore Muslim religious leadership in multiple forms and settings. While traditional authority is usually correlated with theology and piety, as in the case of classically trained ulema, the public advocacy of Muslim community concerns is often headed by those with professionalized skillsets and civic experience. In an increasingly digital world, both women and men exercise leadership in novel ways, and sites of authority are refracted from traditional loci, such as mosques and seminaries, to new and unexpected places. This collection provides systematic focus on a topic that has hitherto been given rather diffuse consideration. It complements historical work on community leadership as well as more contemporary discussion on the training and role of Islamic religious authorities. It will be of interest to scholars in Religious Studies, Sociology, Political Science, History, and Islamic Studies.

The contributions explore Muslim religious leadership in multiple forms and settings. While traditional authority is usually correlated with theology and piety, as in the case of classically trained ulema, the public advocacy of Muslim community concerns is often headed by those with professionalized skillsets and civic experience. In an increasingly digital world, both women and men exercise leadership in novel ways, and sites of authority are refracted from traditional loci, such as mosques and seminaries, to new and unexpected places. This collection provides systematic focus on a topic that has hitherto been given rather diffuse consideration. It complements historical work on community leadership as well as more contemporary discussion on the training and role of Islamic religious authorities. It will be of interest to scholars in Religious Studies, Sociology, Political Science, History, and Islamic Studies.

"Archaeological evidence shows there was contact between Muslims and the British Isles from the 8th century. Beginning with these historical roots, Sophie Gilliat-Ray traces the major points of encounter between Muslims and the British in subsequent centuries, and explores Muslim migration to Britain in recent times. Drawing upon sociology, anthropology, politics, and geography, this comprehensive survey provides an informed understanding of the daily lives of British Muslims. It portrays the dynamic of institutions such as families, mosques and religious leadership, and analyses their social and political significance in today's Britain. Through the study of the historical origins of major Islamic reform movements, it draws attention to the religious diversity within different Muslim communities, and sheds fresh light on contemporary issues such as the nature of religious authority and representation. It also considers British Muslim civic engagement and cultural life, particularly the work of journalists, artists, sports personalities, and business entrepreneurs"--

Archaeological evidence shows there was contact between Muslims and the British Isles from the 8th century. Beginning with these historical roots, Sophie Gilliat-Ray traces the major points of encounter between Muslims and the British in subsequent centuries, and explores Muslim migration to Britain in recent times. Drawing upon sociology, anthropology, politics, and geography, this comprehensive survey provides an informed understanding of the daily lives of British Muslims. It portrays the dynamic of institutions such as families, mosques and religious leadership, and analyses their social and political significance in today's Britain. Through the study of the historical origins of major Islamic reform movements, it draws attention to the religious diversity within different Muslim communities, and sheds fresh light on contemporary issues such as the nature of religious authority and representation. It also considers British Muslim civic engagement and cultural life, particularly the work of journalists, artists, sports personalities, and business entrepreneurs.

This highly thought-provoking book, packed with incisive observations and analyses on a wide range of issues facing British Muslims, offers concise yet extensive commentary on the cultural and intellectual contentions in contextualising Islam in the UK. As of 2018, roughly 50% of the UK’s Muslim population was born in the UK. With this shift comes, on one hand, the loss of “old-ways” of experiencing the world and navigating one’s place within it, and on the other hand it comes with the excitement and opportunity to make “new culture.” The questions now facing British Muslims are: “From where can British Muslims get their inspiration?” and “What should be the nature of this new culture?” These questions are becoming ever more important as the UK’s Muslim population is expected to grow from 5% to 10% by 2050. Thus, the author’s clearly presented analysis provides critical and constructive insights for readers wanting to understand how to make faith more meaningful and relevant, going from a largely immigrant ethnocentric religion and identity politics to one formed on intelligent and confident theocentric understanding. Essential reading for anyone interested in Islam and British Muslims, including policymakers, community leaders, philanthropists and activists as well as scholars and students of Islamic studies, sociology, cultural studies, politics, philosophy and identity. This is a most refreshing and indispensable overview for anyone interested in the area. Commendations “Dr Khan rejects the shallow identity politics which assume that British Muslims must either assimilate to ‘western’ secular norms or react fanatically against them. Instead, he reminds us that all great religions demand an intelligent application of their principles to everyday life, and demonstrates how this should be done, in a series of thoughtful articles which not only offer informed judgements but encourage readers to think for themselves.” Dr Michael Sherborne, author of HG Wells: Another Kind of Life (2010). “Mamnun is a young social analyst, founder of grassroots initiatives and writer whose collection of articles are interesting, insightful and pertinent. His ability to question received wisdom, analyse complex issues succinctly and offer possible solutions to the challenges facing British Muslims is refreshing and admirable. Recommended reading.” Muhammad Mojlum Khan F.R.A.S., author of bestselling The Muslim 100 (2008), The Muslim Heritage of Bengal (2013) and Great Muslims of the West (2017). “This collection of thoughts, observations and meditations provides a welcome perspective to the ongoing crystallisation of religiously-inspired thinking in Britain ... it is in the spirit of communal deliberation and intellectual enquiry that this anthology constructively demonstrates how we might proceed.” Shaykh Muhammad Nizami, British born Islamic scholar and political theorist. “Islam in the UK is at a fork in the road. At the end of one turn is weakness, irrelevance and eventual disappearance. At the other end is confidence, prosperity and illumination. Dr Mamnun’s timely series of short essays boldly and effectively makes the case for the latter. May this work inspire positive action in those who are concerned by our current predicament and long for a return to godliness, guidance and harmony.” Iqbal Nasim, Chief Executive, National Zakat Foundation.

Drawing on original fieldwork, Carl Morris examines Muslim cultural production in Britain, with a focus on the performance-based entertainment industries: music, comedy, film, television and theatre. It is a seminal study that charts the growing agency and involvement of British Muslims in cultural production over the last two decades. Morris sets this discussion within the context of wider religious, social and cultural change, with important insights concerning the sociological profile, religious lives and public visibility of Muslims in contemporary Britain. Morris draws on theoretical considerations concerning the mediatization of religion and cosmopolitanization in a globally-connected world. He argues that a new generation of media-savvy and internationalist Muslim cultural producers in Britain are constructing counter narratives in the public sphere and are reshaping everyday religious lives within their own communities. This is having a profound impact upon areas that range from Islamic authority and religious practice, to political and public debate, and understandings of Muslim identity and belonging.

What are religion and nonreligion? How do fundamentalism and religious radicalization emerge and grow? How do social class, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and other factors affect religious beliefs, practices, and organizations? Is religion a fundamental driving force or do political leaders use religion for their own purposes? In exploring these pertinent questions, An Introduction to the Sociology of Religion provides an overview of sociological theories of contemporary religious life. Theoretical discussion is accompanied by presentations of empirical research from several religious traditions in many parts of the world. The sociology of religion is linked closely to developments in general sociology. Some chapters are organized according to topic, while others offer brief presentations of classical and contemporary sociologists from Karl Marx to Patricia Hill Collins and their perspectives on social life, including on religion. This second edition has been thoroughly updated throughout with new chapters on religion and social inequalities, social and religious movements, and extremism. Covering classical sociology of religion as well as contemporary debates and topics, this book is ideal reading for students approaching the sociology of religion for the first time.