Apart
Alienated and Engaged Muslims in the West
Format:Paperback
Publisher:C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Published:1st Jul '10
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This exploration of young Muslims' experiences in London and Madrid reveals their disaffection and alienation in a post-9/11 context, as discussed in Apart.
In Apart, Justin Gest delves into the complex realities faced by young Muslims in London and Madrid, drawing on over 100 interviews to illuminate their experiences in a post-9/11 world. The book highlights the growing disaffection among these communities, particularly in the context of counterterrorism measures that often marginalize them further. Gest examines how Muslim minorities, which are increasingly prominent in Europe, may find themselves pushed to the fringes of society due to official strategies aimed at preventing home-grown terrorism.
The narrative unfolds through the voices of extremists, gangsters, imams, and everyday individuals, providing a multifaceted perspective on the alienation felt by many young Muslims. Gest challenges traditional views on inequality and discrimination, suggesting that the roots of alienation lie not solely in structural factors but in the expectations and perceptions of social agents. This leads to a paradox where those who reject the social and political system often exhibit greater integration, while those who are most aware of their rights and liberties feel the most disenfranchised.
Furthermore, Apart addresses the need for stability among young Muslims amidst a landscape of conflicting beliefs about nation, state, and faith. Gest's insights serve as a cautionary tale for European policymakers, while also foreshadowing similar challenges that the United States may soon face. The book ultimately emphasizes the importance of understanding and engaging with Muslim citizens to foster a more inclusive democratic society.
An excellent piece of work. I learned a lot from it. Balanced and judicious, with very interesting findings both on a comparative basis and on a generational one. I'm sure it will make its mark. -- Lord Anthony Giddens, Professor Emeritus
This much-needed book tells us why Muslims in the West stand apart. Among its most disturbing findings is how little may separate democratic engagement from radical anti-system opposition. The book's strength is its unique combination of analytic acumen and rich ethnographic description of second-generation Muslims' lives in Madrid and London. -- Professor Christian Joppke
The book is sensitively written, and manages to remain sympathetic towards the interviewees with whom the author clearly spent much time talking and listening... It deserves to be widely read. * Global Policy *
Justin Gest, a young scholar at Harvard and the London School of Economics, has studied alienation--and its neglected twin, engagement--among the Bangladeshi community in London's East End and among Moroccans in the southern suburbs of Madrid. The result is a rich, groundbreaking work which researchers and government officials alike will find both valuable and challenging. -- Roger Hardy
Justin Gest's carefully researched and well argued book brings a fresh perspective on the question of Muslim alienation in Europe... His valuable methodological insights and judicious conclusions have a wider application. -- Lord Bhikhu Parekh, Professor Emeritus
Gest has written a thoughtful and compelling book on why some Muslims in the West feel disenchanted and angry with our political institutions while others do not. He offers a subtle account based on new theoretical work and original case studies. A major contribution by a new voice in academic debate. -- David Held
Justin Gest gives us a window into the diversity and complexity of European Muslim communities in a way few works have. His book delves deep into the demands of modern citizenship, engagement, and layered identities, and his conclusions are at once intuitive and profound. The themes of this book will help define how a thriving democracy functions in the twenty-first century. -- Dalia Mogahed, former advisor to President Barack Obama for Faith-Based Partnerships and executive director
ISBN: 9781849040754
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
288 pages