Young, British and Muslim [Paperback]

"Philip Lewis moves beyond a simple narrative of "good Muslims" and "bad Muslims" to capture the anxieties, idiosyncrasies and challenges rumbling within British Islam. Written with the authority of an experienced interfaith activist and academic, this book is an insightful guide into the communities, complex dynamics and diverse voices.." --Asim Siddiqui, Chairman, The City Circle

'Anyone who has an interest in and concern for young British Muslims will appreciate this book as an insight into the complex negotiations that these young people have to make in order to find their place in contemporary society. Young fellow Muslims would appreciate this narrative both as a telling of their own story and as a witness and testimony to the challenges they face every day... For the older members of the Muslim community Lewis provides an invaluable insight into the complex lives lived by their offspring... [He] has done a service to religious education with this book.' --British Journal of Religious Education

'A most important book on British Muslims. It explodes many contemporary stereotypes to reveal a picture which is far more complex than is often supposed. It shines a light onto both new areas of menace and new avenues of hope. Every politician and policy-maker should read it.' --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

"Philip Lewis moves beyond a simple narrative of "good Muslims" and "bad Muslims" to capture the anxieties, idiosyncrasies and challenges rumbling within British Islam. Written with the authority of an experienced interfaith activist and academic, this book is an insightful guide into the communities, complex dynamics and diverse voices. It critically charts the progress and pitfalls to date in British Muslims becoming an integral and valued part of modern Britain." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

'Drawing on his long personal experiences and careful research, Philip Lewis in this well argued and well written book provides a fascinating and insightful account of the way in which young Muslims struggle to evolve a coherent sense of themselves and their place in British society. The book is timely and full of much practical good sense.'
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

All four of the bombers involved in 7/7, the deadly attack on London's transport system in July 2005, were aged 30 or under. The spectre of extremist Islam looms large and Muslim youth in the UK are increasingly linked to radical Islamic movements. A clear, balanced examination of this complex issue is long overdue. Philip Lewis sets out to address this by looking at the lives and beliefs of young Muslims aged 18 to 30, against a backdrop of the problems any migrant community face. Beginning with an overview of British Muslim communities, he goes on to explore the nature of the intergenerational gap in the Muslim community, showing how normal tensions are exaggerated as children are educated in a language and culture different to that of their parents.Patriarchal 'clan politics' and a breakdown in communication between young Muslims and traditional Muslim leaders are dispossessing Islamic youth, leading a small but significant minority to turn to radical groups for somewhere to belong and something to believe in. Lewis concludes by identifying a generational shift from 'clan politics' to what he calls a 'new professionalism' and demonstrates how new organizations and networks of Muslim thinkers are springing up all the time - allowing young Muslims to find positive identities and outlets for their concerns and energies.

Philip Lewis lectures in the Department for Peace Studies, a world leading research center in peace and conflict studies at the University of Bradford. He is the Inter-Faith Adviser to the Bishop of Bradford, sits on the Commission of British Muslims and Islamophobia and is the author of Islamic Britain (IB Tauris).