The Making of a Salafi Muslim Woman : Paths to Conversion

The spread of Salafism - often called "Wahhabism" - in the West has intrigued and alarmed observers since 9/11. Many see it as a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam that subjugates women and fuels Jihadist extremism. According to this view, Salafi women are the unwilling victims of a patriarchal, fanatical version of Islam. Yet, in Britain, growing numbers of educated women - often converts or from less conservative Muslim backgrounds - are actively choosing to embrace Salafism's literalist beliefs and strict guidelines, including full veiling, wifely obedience, and seclusion from non-related men. How do these young women reconcile these demands with their desire for fulfilling careers, university degrees and suitable husbands? How do their beliefs affect their love lives and other relationships? And why do they become Salafis in the first place? Anabel Inge has gained unprecedented access to Salafi women's groups in the UK to provide the first in-depth and vivid account of their lives. Drawing on more than two years of ethnographic fieldwork and interviews in London, she probes the reasons for Salafism's appeal among young Somalis, Afro-Caribbean converts, and women from other backgrounds. She also reveals how the women's lives are fraught with personal dilemmas. This ground-breaking, lucid, and richly detailed contribution will be of interest to policy-makers, journalists, scholars, and general readers. The spread of Salafism? often referred to as Wahhabism? in the West has intrigued and alarmed observers since the attacks of 9/11. Many see it as a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam that condones the subjugation of women and fuels Jihadist extremism. This view depicts Salafi women as the hapless victims of a fanatical version of Islam. Yet in Britain, growing numbers of educated women? often converts or from less conservative Muslim backgrounds? are actively choosing to embrace Salafism's literalist beliefs and strict regulations, including heavy veiling, wifely obedience, and seclusion from non-related men. How do these young women reconcile such difficult demands with their desire for university education, fulfilling careers, and suitable husbands? How do their beliefs affect their love lives and other relationships? And why do they become Salafi in the first place? 00Anabel Inge has gained unprecedented access to Salafi womens groups in the United Kingdom to provide the first in-depth account of their lives. Drawing on more than two years of ethnographic fieldwork in London, she examines why Salafism is attracting so many young Somalis, Afro - Caribbean converts, and others. But she also reveals the personal dilemmas they confront. This ground-breaking, lucid, and richly detailed book will be of vital interest to scholars, policy-makers, journalists, and general readers The spread of Salafism--often referred to as "Wahhabism"--in the West has intrigued and alarmed observers since the attacks of 9/11. Many see it as a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam that condones the subjugation of women and fuels Jihadist extremism. This view depicts Salafi women as the hapless victims of a fanatical version of Islam. Yet in Britain, growing numbers of educated women--often converts or from less conservative Muslim backgrounds-are actively choosing to embrace Salafism's literalist beliefs and strict regulations, including heavy veiling, wifely obedience, and seclusion from non-related men. How do these young women reconcile such difficult demands with their desire for university education, fulfilling careers, and suitable husbands? How do their beliefs affect their love lives and other relationships? And why do they become Salafi in the first place? The author has gained unprecedented access to Salafi women's groups in the United Kingdom to provide an in-depth account of their lives. Drawing on more than two years of ethnographic fieldwork in London, she examines why Salafism is attracting so many young Somalis, Afro-Caribbean converts, and others.--Publisher's description Salafism Often Called 'wahhabism,' Is Widely Seen As A Fundamentalist Interpretation Of Islam That Subjugates Women, Yet Growing Numbers Of Young British Women, Many Of Them Converts Or From Less Conservative Muslim Backgrounds, Are Actively Embracing It. With Unprecedented Access To Salafi Women's Groups In The Uk, Anabel Inge Provides An In-depth Account Of Their Lives, Probing The Reasons For Their Conversion And Their Subsequent Dilemmas And Difficulties. Introduction -- 1. The Development Of Salafism In Britain -- 2. Fieldwork -- 3. Becoming Salafi -- 4. Commitment And Belonging: The Role Of Circles Of Knowledge -- 5. Applying Salafism: Negotiating Teachings And Lived Realities -- 6. 'marriage Completes Half Your Religion, Sister': Salafi Match-making -- Conclusion: The Future Of Salafism In Britain -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Glossary -- Information On Interviewees (tables A And B) -- Interview Question Guide For Salafi Women -- Index. Anabel Inge. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Note on Arabic Terms, Transliterations, Qur’anic Quotations, and Paraphrasing Introduction 1. The Development of Salafism in Britain 2. Fieldwork 3. Becoming Salafi 4. Commitment and Belonging: The Role of Circles of Knowledge 5. Applying Salafism: Negotiating Teachings and Lived Realities 6. ‘Marriage Completes Half Your Religion, Sister’: Salafi Match-Making Conclusion Notes Glossary Information on Interviewees Interview Question Guide for Salafi Women Bibliography Primary Textual, Online, and Audio Sources Websites and Webpages Consulted Index