Description
Book SynopsisOn 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 Bow
Trade Review"Bowen has produced yet another valuable study... [On British Islam] helps combat distorted generalizations about Islam and Muslims."--Choice "A very valuable resource for readers interested in the workings of Shari'a councils."--Silke Elrifai, Esq., International Journal of Constitutional Law
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments 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
