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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.



Table of 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