1. Introduction
2. Britain's Muslim Communities: A Sketch
3. Mind the Gap - Understanding Inter-Generational Tensions
4. Debating Islam: Muslim Professionals Find their Voice
5. Only Connect: Can the ‘ulama Address the Crisis in the
Transmission of Islam to Young British Muslims?
6. British Muslims, Radical Islam and its Critics
7. Conclusion
A clear and balanced exploration, looking at the lives and beliefs of young Muslims aged 18 to 30, against a backdrop of the problems any migrant community face.
Philip Lewis lectures in the Department for Peace Studies, a world leading research center in peace and conflict studies at the University of Bradford. He is the Inter-Faith Adviser to the Bishop of Bradford, sits on the Commission of British Muslims and Islamophobia and is the author of Islamic Britain (IB Tauris).
"This is an enlightening, concise, and helpful study."
Reviewed by Leo Bowder in Church Times, 2008
"Philip Lewis moves beyond a simple narrative of "good Muslims" and
"bad Muslims" to capture the anxieties, idiosyncrasies and
challenges rumbling within British Islam. Written with the
authority of an experienced interfaith activist and academic, this
book is an insightful guide into the communities, complex dynamics
and diverse voices. It critically charts the progress and pitfalls
to date in British Muslims becoming an integral and valued part of
modern Britain." Asim Siddiqui, Chairman, The City Circle.
"Philip Lewis has built up a remarkable depth of knowledge into
particular parts of Britain's hugely diverse Muslim community. What
he offers is much needed, well informed insight on a subject,
Muslims in Britain, which usually attracts the opposite. If you
want to have a better understanding of the vital debates around
Islam in this country, start here." Madeleine Bunting, The
Guardian
'Philip Lewis's exploration of the intricacies of British Muslim
life provide a timely antidote to the oversimplification that
characterises so much (mis-)understanding about the place of
Muslims in twenty-first century Britain. Through a penetrating
examination of the challenges facing the younger generations, we
are introduced to the exciting and optimistic range of dynamic
initiatives being pursued, often in forums and spaces outside the
control of their elders. Young British Muslims are clearly
engaging critically and increasingly confidently with the
complexities of wider society, and, as Lewis demonstrates, are
forging creative - British - ways of being Muslim.' Professor
Humayun Ansari, Author of ‘The Infidel Within': Muslims in Britain
Since 1800
'Drawing on his long personal experiences and careful research,
Philip Lewis in this well argued and well written book provides a
fascinating and insightful account of the way in which young
Muslims struggle to evolve a coherent sense of themselves and their
place in British society. The book is timely and full of much
practical good sense.' Bhikhu Parekh, Professor of University of
Westminster and House of Lords
'Based on 20 years of active engagement with the Muslim communities
of Britain, as well as considerable scholarly knowledge, Philip
Lewis offers a sane, balanced and highly accessible introduction to
the world of the British Muslims. In particular, he emphasises
the variety of Muslim voices, the differences between the outlooks
of younger and older generations, and the debates about how to
be Muslim in modern Britain. This snapshot of British Islam in
the making should be read by all those interested in the future of
British society.' Francis Robinson CBE, Professor of the History of
South Asia, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
'A most important book on British Muslims. It explodes many
contemporary stereotypes to reveal a picture which is far more
complex than is often supposed. It shines a light onto both new
areas of menace and new avenues of hope. Every politician and
policy-maker should read it.' Paul Vallely, The Independent
article of the author, Yorkshire Post, 2 February 2008
"Lewis succeeds in his aim of neither demonizing nor
sentimentalizing Muslims, by skillfully setting out the context
that shapes young British Muslims' complex attitudes and
behaviours" Journal of Islamic Studies, vol. 20 no.2, May 2009
*Humayun Ansari*
‘Anyone who has an interest in and concern for young British
Muslims will appreciate this book as an insight into the complex
negotiations that these young people have to make in order to find
their place in contemporary society. Young fellow Muslims would
appreciate this narrative both as a telling of their own story and
as a witness and testimony to the challenges they face every day...
For the older members of the Muslim community Lewis provides an
invaluable insight into the complex lives lived by their
offspring... [He] has done a service to religious education with
this book.'
*British Journal of Religious Education*
'This book is a must-have for getting a feel for the issues facing
young Muslims in Britain today...Philip is a world-class scholar of
Islam and brings his depth of knowledge to provide a respectful but
accessible introduction to the subject.' Distinctly Welcoming
Blog
'There are moments when, by some strange osmosis, everyone wants
answers to the same question. For the past few years, that question
has been: why do young, British-born Muslims become radicalised to
the point where some become suicide bombers? Philip Lewis would
insist, and rightly, that he has not written a book about al-Qaeda
or, for that matter, radicalisation...But what Lewis has done, with
skill and understanding, is to set out the context in which we can
begin to understand what it means to be "young, British and
Muslim". The rest is up to us...Lewis says the aim of his new book
is neither to demonise nor to sentimentalise Muslims. Given the
highly polarised nature of the current debate (think of the
Muhammad cartoons affair), that is not easy. He tries to meet the
challenge by making full use of a wide range of academic research,
while letting young Muslims speak for themselves - through
interviews, through novels, through their contributions to
television and radio, and through blogs and websites. What comes
across is a vivid picture of young Muslims' struggles to navigate
the sometimes conflicting currents of school and work, family and
mosque.' Roger Hardy, New Statesman
"Young, British adn Muslim provides the context and many of the
facts that must now be brought into play if we are to address what
is a gathering crisis" Telegraph and argus, 11 May 2009
*Jin Greenhalf*
"In this well-written and timely book, Lewis (peace studies, Univ.
of Bradford) describes the Islamic community in the UK, including
who they are, where they live, and what they believe. Using
statistical information as well as individual narratives, the
author tells of a community united by Islam but divided by
ethnicity, generation, class, and country of origin...Summing Up:
Highly recommended. General collections and up." - G. M. Farr,
CHOICE, August 2008
*Choice*
Extract and cover feature in Church Times, (22/02/2008)
*Church Times*
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