Muslims in England and Their Discourses

This book studies the ways Muslims engage in and challenge discourses that surround them in Britain as agents of their own identity and religiosity. It starts by examining history, the existing literature, and current discourse, and follows up with case studies. The book examines the ways in which Muslims negotiate and construct their own religiosity and meaning in life, as well as how they act as agents of change, and challenge dominant and existing paradigms about the place and role of Muslims in British society. The book discusses the relationship between Muslims and authority (both religious and state) and examines the effect of education, politics, role models and authority figures. The book is about images of Muslims, but also about the actions they undertake in the British social milieu, challenging people's perceptions of Muslims. It offers a counter narrative to the anxiety in the West surrounding Muslims. The case studies presented, explore the beliefs and practices internalized by a given society and provides a foundation through which we can understand the agency of Muslims in Britain.