On British Islam : Religion, Law, and Everyday Practice in Shariʿa Councils / John R. Bowen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bowen, John R., author.

Series:

Princeton studies in Muslim politics.

Princeton Studies in Muslim Politics ; 62

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Islamic sects--Great Britain--History--21st century.

Islamic sects.

Muslims--Legal status, laws, etc--Great Britain.

Muslims.

Religion and law--Great Britain.

Religion and law.

Islamic law--Great Britain.

Islamic law.

Muslims--Political activity--Great Britain.

Islam and politics--Great Britain.

Islam and politics.

Islam--Great Britain--History--21st century.

Islam.

Great Britain--Politics and government.

Great Britain.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (289 p.)

Place of Publication:

Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, [2016]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.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 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:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Part 1. Pathways

Chapter 1. Why Shariʿa in Britain?

Chapter 2. Transplanting Ties

Chapter 3. Islamic Topographies

Part 2. Practices

Chapter 4. Background to the Shariʿa Councils

Chapter 5. Improvising an Institution

Chapter 6. Unstable Performativity

Chapter 7. Competing Justifications

Part 3. Variants

Chapter 8. When Women Rule in Birmingham

Chapter 9. Sufi Encompassments

Part 4. Boundaries

Chapter 10. Shariʿa in English Law The Argument So Far

Chapter 11. When Can Shariʿa Be British?

Chapter 12. Internal Debates and Practical Convergences

Chapter 13. Conclusions

Glossary

Notes

References

Index

Backmatter

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 257-269) and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 23. Mai 2019)

ISBN:

9781400881055

1400881056

OCLC:

1017612172