Full Description
On British Islam examines the history and everyday workings of Islamic institutions in Britain, with a focus on shari?a 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 shari?a councils interpret and apply Islamic law in a secular British context. Bowen focuses on three specific shari?a 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 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.
Contents
Acknowledgments ix Part 1 Pathways Chapter 1 Why Shari'a in Britain? 3 Chapter 2 Transplanting Ties 10 Chapter 3 Islamic Topographies 25 Part 2 Practices Chapter 4 Background to the Shari'a Councils 47 Chapter 5 Improvising an Institution 65 Chapter 6 Unstable Performativity 88 Chapter 7 Competing Justifications 103 Part 3 Variants Chapter 8 When Women Rule in Birmingham 123 Chapter 9 Sufi Encompassments 143 Part 4 Boundaries Chapter 10 Shari'a in English Law 173 Chapter 11 When Can Shari'a Be British? 194 Chapter 12 Internal Debates and Practical Convergences 209 Chapter 13 Conclusions 229 Glossary 233 Notes 235 References 257 Index 271
