Islam and the Liberal State: National Identity and the Future of Muslim Britain

This book explores the lack of understanding about the character of British Islam and its relationship to the liberal state, charting a shift in British institutions since Muslims settled in the UK in the 1950s. It challenges claims about the isolation of British Islamic organizations and shows how they have shaped themselves around British public and institutional norms, building a distinctive 'British Islam'. It also offers a liberalism that is open to the expression of religious arguments in public and to associations between religious groups and the state.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 19 May 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The notion of national identity and liberal democracy are central to discussions surrounding Muslim minorities in the West, and Britain is no exception. In response to concerns about Muslims' lack of integration, politicians have implemented policies aimed at promoting fundamental British values, including democracy and individual liberty. This book delves into these themes, seeking to enhance understanding of the character of British Islam and its relationship with the liberal state. It traces a gradual but significant transformation in British institutions responsible for Islamic education, law, and Muslim representation since the arrival of Muslims in the UK in the 1950s. Through empirical research, including in-depth interviews conducted over a decade, and analysis of public events organized by Islamic institutions, Stephen Jones challenges misconceptions about the isolation of British Islamic organizations. He demonstrates that these organizations have actively adapted to British public and institutional norms, resulting in the development of a distinctive "British Islam."

The book makes a compelling case for a liberalism that embraces the expression of religious arguments in public and supports associations between religious groups and the state. It challenges the notion of British Islamic institutions being insular by highlighting how the national orientation of Islam, as envisioned by British policymakers, is already underway. This narrative provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse on Muslim minorities in the West, offering insights into the complex dynamics between religion, society, and the state.

Weight: 394g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780755635269