europe vs. USA re: muslims. what’s the difference? specifically, UK vs. USA? is it the difference in ethnic diversity? (american muslims are fragmented between asians, blacks, whites, immigrants, arabs, natives, converts, etc. in a very balanced manner) the economic success of american muslims? the post-colonial legacy of the british? different racial attitudes? if i had to rank order these factors i think i would put the ethnic diversity first, and economics second. i believe that the fact that british muslims are divided into a few large ethnic blocks results in a identity politics synergy which generates a feedback loop which you would never see in this country….
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musab 2:59 am on May 12, 2008 Permalink |
Muslims in the UK don’t interact much with French or German Muslims or other European Muslims (apart from the occasional tourist visit). There are only two networks where I have seen a concerted effort take place. One is with the ikhwani organisations (specifically Federation of Islamic Organisation Europe). The other is the Minhajul Quran movement, followers of the sufi scholar Shaykh Dr Tahir ul Qadri
In terms of identity politics, in the UK, we are categorized ethnically, theologically and politically
ethnically – Pakistani Bengali Indian Yemeni other
theological schools – Sunni (salafi) Sunni (ikhwani), Sunni (following madhab) – Shia
Political involvement- Deobandi/ikhwani through the Muslim Council of Britain, traditionalist (sufi) groups through British Muslim Forum and the Sufi Muslim Council. The salafis don’t get involved in much politics,
Revivalist movements – tabligh jamaat (deobandi from the subcontinent) and the ikhwani movements (Young Muslims, Young Muslim Organisations, MAB, Scottish Muslim Council)
re: ethnic blocks, it is far more complex than that. I would urge you to look at the second link below and read the reports on Muslims in Britain.
Paying it forward
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/riazat_butt/2007/09/paying_it_forward.html
Muslims in Britain, useful links
http://mooslim.com/blog/?p=54