Islamic Radicalism and Multicultural Politics: The British Experience

The expression of an Islamic political radicalism in Britain has been one of the most dramatic developments in recent decades. Islamic Radicalism and Multicultural Politics explores the nature of this phenomenon by analysing the origins of Islam and its historical contact with Western Europe and Britain, and the emergence of Islamic political radicalism in the Muslim world and in the West.

Tahir Abbas draws on historical analysis and contemporary case studies to explore the post-war immigration and integration of Muslim groups, the complex relations that exist between a secular liberal Britain and a diverse but multifaceted Islam, and the extent of social and economic inequalities that affect Muslims as individual citizens and in local area communities. He shows how violent extremism among British Muslims is in reality influenced by a range of issues, including the factors of globalisation and contemporary politics, media and culture. Analysing and dissecting public policy, Abbas offers suggestions for tackling the major social, political and economic questions facing British Muslims in the post-7/7 era.

An important contribution to the study of religion, ‘race’ and ethnicity in modern Britain, this accessible work will be of interest to anyone working in the field of Islamic studies, sociology and political radicalism.

Cover design by Mahtab Hussain, www.mahtabhussain.com

Tahir Abbas is a leading social scientist specialising in the area of ethnic relations and Muslim minorities in the West. He is currently Professor of Sociology at Fatih University, Istanbul.

Preface 1. From the Historical to the Contemporary 2. Islamic Political Radicalism: Origins and Destinations 3. Post-war Immigration: Ethnicity, Identity and Spatiality 4. The Formation of Muslim Capital: Education, Employment and Entrepreneurialism 5. Neo-Orientalism and Islamophobia: The Media and Print News 6. The Political Philosophy of Multiculturalism and the ‘Modern Muslim’ 7. Islamist Identity Politics in the Context of Glocalisation 8. Muslims, Crime, Terror and the Law 9. British Islam Tomorrow and the Battle Ahead