Islam on Campus: Contested Identities and the Cultures of Higher Education in Britain

Islam on Campus explores how Islam is represented, perceived, and lived within higher education in Britain, challenging the notion that universities are a secularizing force. It examines the role of universities and Muslim higher education institutions in the production, reinforcement, and contestation of emerging narratives about religious difference, demonstrating the urgent need to release Islam from its official role as the othered and feared.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 21 July 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Islam on Campus delves into the multifaceted portrayal, perception, and lived experiences of Islam within the higher education landscape of Britain. This book serves as a comprehensive exploration of the evolving dynamics of university life and the evolving role of religion within this context. While many universities maintain ambiguous or affirming orientations towards religious institutions due to historical and ethical considerations, a significant portion of Western scholarship has presupposed higher education as a potent force in secularization. Consequently, religion has often been marginalized or disregarded as a cultural irrelevance within the university sector. However, recent times have witnessed a growing entanglement of higher education in political discourses that perceive religion, particularly Islam, as a source of risk.

Utilizing the most extensive data set collected to date in the UK, this book delves into the intricacies of university life, shedding light on the processes through which ideas about Islam and Muslim identities are generated, experienced, perceived, appropriated, and objectified. It poses critical questions about the role of universities and Muslim higher education institutions in the production, reinforcement, and contestation of emerging narratives surrounding religious difference. This culturally nuanced approach treats universities as dynamic sites of knowledge production and contexts for the negotiation of diverse perspectives on culture and religion among a burgeoning generation. By highlighting the urgent need to release Islam from its official role as the Other and the feared, this book aims to empower students from all affiliations and backgrounds to become active citizens of the campus, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive as global citizens.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192844675