In contemporary Britain, young British Muslims are often spoken about but very rarely invited to speak. What do they think about the social, cultural and political concerns that surround them today and how are they responding to them? This book attempts to find out by asking them to explore their experiences, attitudes and opinions, presenting a picture of ordinary young Muslim lives.
The young Muslim voices that are heard in this book come from many walks of life, reflecting the diversity of Muslim communities in Britain. They come from different parts of Britain, from a range of ethnicities, have different class backgrounds and situate themselves within different Islamic traditions. They share the common experience of growing up in Britain at a time when British Muslims have been thrust into the spotlight of public scrutiny.
What appeal does Islam have for them? What does being a Muslim mean to them? What do they think of life in Britain? Do they feel British? How do they feel about non-Muslims? What are their political views? What sort of relationship do they have with their families?
The young Muslims in this book speak to the author about these and other issues candidly and with insight. They articulate the hopes and frustrations of a generation at the crossroads of an important historical moment.
About the Author: Anshuman A. Mondal is a Senior Lecturer in English at Brunel University (London, UK), and author of Nationalism and Post-Colonial Identity: Culture and Ideology in India and Egypt (2003) and Amitav Ghosh (2008). Of Muslim background, the author has published on Islamic affairs, and religion, faith and secularism in magazines such as Prospect, and for organizations such as the British Council. He was a keynote speaker of the British Concil's international seminar on Representing Islam, where he delivered a lecture on 'Islam and Multiculturalism'. He has appeared on various radio and television programmes to discuss issues related to Islam, including Newsnight, BBC World Service, Thinking Allowed on BBC Radio 4, and has appeared on 'The Week in Review' for the Islam Channel. In 2004, he was part of the British delegation to an event jointly organised by the governments of Britain, Denmark and Sweden called 'Reinventing Multiculturalism'.
