Reading List: Sufis, Salafis and Islamists

Sadek Hamid, Sufis, Salafis and Islamists: The Contested Ground of British Islamic Activism (IB Tauris) "British Muslim activism has evolved constantly in recent decades. What have been its main groups and how do their leaders compete to attract followers? Which social and religious ideas from abroad are most influential?"

'The civil war among Muslims in Britain'

opinion piece: Michael Mumisa | Independent Editor's choice Blogs, Independent blogs, The civil war among Muslims in Britain, 1 Dec 2010: "Not wanting to be accused of promoting extremist ideas, soon after the 7/7 bombings most Sunni Mosque committees across the UK imposed a total ban on political discussions in the Mosques. This means that young Muslims are now without an open and safe platform where they can express their political views and have such views examined or challenged by others. They have instead retreated into their bedrooms to search for answers on extremist internet forums."

Hasan 'Abd al-Hakim obituary

Guardian, Charles Le Gai Eaton obituary, 19 Apr 2010 "Within days of his death at the age of 89, the Muslim intellectual, writer and broadcaster Charles Le Gai Eaton, also known as Hasan 'Abd al-Hakim, was being hailed as "a towering patriarch of British Islam" and his death proclaimed as "the end of an era". One can imagine Eaton responding to such tributes by saying, quite simply: "Typical oriental hyperbole!""

Prince Charles

Manchester Evening News, Prince Charles wowed by whirling dervishes, 8 Feb 2010 "Prince Charles was guest of honour at a celebration of Sufi Muslim culture at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground where he was entertained by whirlers in traditional dress.

"Greeted by artists, religious leaders and musicians, he made his way into a hushed hall at the stadium where he enjoyed a musical recitation of the Holy Quran accompanied by a whirling dervishes dressed in traditional costumes."

Minhaj ul-Islam report

"Daily Star, Muslim group's damning report against terrorism, 18 Jan 2010, "East London Sufi organisation Minhaj-ul-Quran launched a damning 600-page report today condemning terrorism."

I had a quick look for the report on their website - nothing yet (will update). However, see islamicresearcher.com, “Fatwa” against terrorists, 5 Dec 2009 "Islam does not permit, under any circumstances, the massacre of innocent citizens, terroristic explosions and suicide bombings. The continuous carnage and slaughtering of people, suicide bombings against innocent and peaceful communities, explosions at mosques, shrines, educational institutions and businesses; the destruction of government institutions, buildings, trade centers; attacks on defense training centers, embassies, transports systems and other institutions of civil society; all these acts are grave violations of human rights and constitute kufr, disbelief, under Islamic law. The founder and patron in chief of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, and Chairman of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Shaykh-ul-Islam, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri issued his detailed edict (fatwa) today, consisting of 200 pages, while addressing a press video conference from Canada."

Pub bought by mosque

thisisbusiness-eastmidlands.co.uk, Nottingham pub is bought by mosque, 22 Sep 09 "The Hazrat Sultan Bahu Trust is set to transform a city pub into a thriving community centre. The Jester pub, which closed earlier this year, sold for £400,000 at auction."

See Hazrat Sultan Bahu: background on the Trust, Hazrat Sultan Bahu, founder Sahibzada Sheikh Sultan Fiaz ul Hassan Sarwari Qadri, educational projects and activities. There are detailed resources on the website.

British Muslim Forum

Dewsbury Reporter, Leading Muslim leads calls for extremists to leave the UK, "The founder of the British Muslim Forum has said hate-filled Islamic extremists should leave the country.

"Senior Muslim scholar Sheiykh Allama Shahid Raza Naeemi OBE was speaking at an event to bring Kirklees communities together."

Also see British Muslim Forum