On British Islam: Religion, Law, And Everyday Practice In Sharia Councils (princeton Studies In Muslim Politics)
by John R. Bowen /
2016 / English / PDF
15 MB Download
On British Islam
On British Islam examines the history and everyday
workings of Islamic institutions in Britain, with a focus on
shariʿa councils. These councils concern themselves with
religious matters, especially divorce. They have a higher profile
in Britain than in other Western nations. Why? Taking a
historical and ethnographic look at British Islam, John Bowen
examines how Muslims have created distinctive religious
institutions in Britain and how shariʿa councils interpret and
apply Islamic law in a secular British context.
examines the history and everyday
workings of Islamic institutions in Britain, with a focus on
shariʿa councils. These councils concern themselves with
religious matters, especially divorce. They have a higher profile
in Britain than in other Western nations. Why? Taking a
historical and ethnographic look at British Islam, John Bowen
examines how Muslims have created distinctive religious
institutions in Britain and how shariʿa councils interpret and
apply Islamic law in a secular British context.
Bowen focuses on three specific shariʿa councils: the oldest and
most developed, in London; a Midlands community led by a Sufi
saint and barrister; and a Birmingham-based council in which
women play a leading role. Bowen shows that each of these
councils represents a prolonged, unique experiment in meeting
Muslims' needs in a Western country. He also discusses how the
councils have become a flash point in British public debates even
as they adapt to the English legal environment.
Bowen focuses on three specific shariʿa councils: the oldest and
most developed, in London; a Midlands community led by a Sufi
saint and barrister; and a Birmingham-based council in which
women play a leading role. Bowen shows that each of these
councils represents a prolonged, unique experiment in meeting
Muslims' needs in a Western country. He also discusses how the
councils have become a flash point in British public debates even
as they adapt to the English legal environment.On British Islam
On British Islam highlights British Muslims' efforts to
create institutions that make sense in both Islamic and British
terms. This balancing act is rarely acknowledged in Britain—or
elsewhere—but it is urgent that we understand it if we are to
build new ways of living together.
highlights British Muslims' efforts to
create institutions that make sense in both Islamic and British
terms. This balancing act is rarely acknowledged in Britain—or
elsewhere—but it is urgent that we understand it if we are to
build new ways of living together.