Young, British and Muslim

Description

All four of the bombers involved in 7/7, the deadly attack on London's transport system in July 2005, were aged 30 or under. The spectre of extremist Islam looms large and Muslim youth in the UK are increasingly linked to radical Islamic movements. A clear, balanced examination of this complex issue is long overdue. Philip Lewis sets out to address this by looking at the lives and beliefs of young Muslims aged 18 to 30, against a backdrop of the problems any migrant community face. Beginning with an overview of British Muslim communities, he goes on to explore the nature of the intergenerational gap in the Muslim community, showing how normal tensions are exaggerated as children are educated in a language and culture different to that of their parents. Patriarchal 'clan politics' and a breakdown in communication between young Muslims and traditional Muslim leaders are dispossessing Islamic youth, leading a small but significant minority to turn to radical groups for somewhere to belong and something to believe in. Lewis concludes by identifying a generational shift from 'clan politics' to what he calls a 'new professionalism' and demonstrates how new organizations and networks of Muslim thinkers are springing up all the time - allowing young Muslims to find positive identities and outlets for their concerns and energies.

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).

"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 "This is an enlightening, concise, and helpful study." Reviewed by Leo Bowder in Church Times, 2008 "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 -- G. M. Farr * Choice * Extract and cover feature in Church Times, (22/02/2008) * Church Times *