Towards Building a British Islam: New Muslims' Perspectives

Despite the current negative image of Islam in Europe there has been a steady growth of converts to Islam over the past few decades. British converts are a highly diverse group, with different social, economic and educational backgrounds. Recently this group has grown in confidence and become increasingly active in influencing positive Islamic discourse in Britain. The book sheds light on the intellectual and spiritual contributions of some of the prominent figures of this group of 'new Muslims', and assesses their efforts in shaping Islam in British society; including: Martin Lings, Gai Eaton, Tim Winter and Hamza Yusuf. The research investigates the potential benefit 'new Muslims' can bring to bridge the gap between Muslim communities and wider British society, thus helping in the process of building mutual trust, greater cooperation and positive understanding among all parties in Britain. The work will help readers to become aware of the evolution of a "British Islam" that is more open, rooted in British values and spiritual traditions, and forms a part of the continually changing British religious landscape.

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. Islam in Europe 2. Early British Convert Community (or Native British Converts to Islam): An Overview 3. Native British Converts: Post-World War II Era onward 4. Post-Second World War Case Studies: Case Study I: Martin Lings or Abu Bakr Siraj al-Din 5. Post-Second World War Case Studies: Case Study II: Gai Eaton or Hasan Abdal Hakim 6. Contemporary Case Studies: Case Study I: Time Winter or Abdal Hakim Murad 7. Contemporary Case Studies: Case Study II: Mark Hanson or Hamza Yusuf Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Haifaa Jawad is Senior lecturer in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies in the department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham, UK.

Review :
"What is the fundamental nature of "British Islam"? What kind of message is being conveyed by British Muslims? This book helps answer such questions, providing an in-depth series of case-studies of the most influential voices in the contemporary Muslim community in Britain. Dr Haifaa Jawad's sensitive evaluation of Islam in Britain debunks the media stereotypes of British Islam, and reveals instead that what inspires the finest minds of the British Muslim community is a creative synthesis between what is most noble in British culture and what is most profound in Islamic faith." 'This book's fascinating case studies of influential native British Muslim writers and thinkers provide a revealing illustration of the manifold spiritual, intellectual and aesthetic attractions of the Islamic tradition, and an inspiring window on human, personal dimensions of Islam too often neglected in the recent media focus on Muslim immigration and Islamist political ideologies.Prof. Jawad's historical and contextual chapters also highlight earlier key European Muslim figures whose pioneering works and teaching were often the inspiration for her contemporary biographical subjects here.' 'Those who give Jawad's scholarship its due and read her work carefully will discover that the greatest contribution of this book is that, perhaps unwittingly, it offers hope: hope for a world of shared humanity, of shared values, and of understanding and tolerance.'