Sufism in Britain

This volume provides an objective analysis of current trends and developments in the beliefs and practices of Sufis in Britain. Sufism is a dynamic and substantial presence within British Muslim communities and is influencing both religious and political discourses concerning the formation of Islam in Britain. In the 21st century Sufis have re-positioned themselves to represent the views of a 'Traditional Islam', a non-violent 'other Islam', able to combat the discourses of radical movements. Major transformations have taken place in Sufism that illuminate debates over authenticity, legitimacy, and authority within Islam, and religion more generally.

Through examining the theory and history involved, as well as a series of case studies, Sufism in Britain charts the processes of change and offers a significant contribution to the political and religious re-organisation of the Muslim presence in Britain, and the West.

Sufism in Britain provides an objective analysis of trends and developments in the beliefs and practices of Sufis in Britain. Through examining the theory and history involved and case studies, it offers a significant contribution to the political and religious re-organisation of the Muslim presence in Britain, and the West.

Ron Geaves is Professor of the Comparative Study of Religion at Liverpool Hope University, UK.

Theodore Gabriel is Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Gloucestershire, UK, and Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the Bader International Study Centre of Queen's University (Canada), at Hailsham, UK.

PART 1: Theory
1. Expressions of Spirituality in Islam: Unity and diversity in Sufi thought and practice
Theodore Gabriel and Ron Geaves
2. Transformation and Trends among British Sufis
Ron Geaves
3. Universal Sufis in the UK: Sufism for Everyone?
Roy Jackson
PART II: History
4. Shaykh Abdullah Ali al-Hakimi, the 'Alawi Tariqa and British-Yemenis
Mohammad S Seddon,
5. Sufism in Britain: The Da'wa of Shaykh 'Abdalqadir as-Sufi
Yasin Dutton
6. The One or the Many? Transnational Sufism and Locality in the British Budshishiyya
Marta Dominguez-Diaz
7. Conversion Narratives among the Alami and Rifa'i Tariqa in Britain
Julianne Hazen
PART III: Case Studies
8. Online Sufism - Young British Muslims, their internet 'selves' and virtual reality
Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor
9. The Rise of the “Traditional Islam” Network(s): Neo-Sufism and British Muslim Youth
Sadek Hamid
10. What is the Naqshbandi-Haqqani tariqa? Notes on Developments and a Critique of Typologies
Simon Stjernholm
11. Reliving the 'Classical Islam': emergence and working of the Minhajul Quran movement in the UK
Amer Morgahi
12. “Ours is not a caravan of despair”:the influence and presence of the Turkish Sunni Nurcu Movement of Hojaeffendi Fethullah Gülen in the UK
Ian G. Williams
Notes
Bibliography
Index