Tahir Abbas
Professor Tahir Abbas FAcSS holds the Chair in Radicalisation Studies at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs at Leiden University in The Hague. His research interests include ethnicity, religion and radicalisation. He is the Scientific Coordinator of H2020 RIA 'DRIVE' [Determining multilevel-led causes and testing intervention designs to reduce radicalisation, extremism and political violence in North-Western Europe through social inclusion], a consortium led by Leiden University. He was a Reader (Associate Professor) in Sociology at the University of Birmingham (2003-2009) and a Professor of Sociology at Fatih Istanbul University (2010-2016) before joining the Institute in August 2018. He has also been a Senior Research Officer in UK government (2001-2003) and a Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (2016-2017). His recent books are Countering Violent Extremism (IB Tauris, 2021, in press), Islamophobia and Radicalisation (Hurst/Oxford University Press, 2019) and Contemporary Turkey in Conflict (Edinburgh University Press, 2017). His recent edited books are Political Muslims (co-ed., with S Hamid, Syracuse University Press, 2019) and Muslim Diasporas in the West: Critical Readings in Sociology (4 vols., Routledge Major Works Series, 2016). He has been a visiting scholar at the London School of Economics (2017-2019), New York University (2015-2016), Hebrew University in Jerusalem (2012), International Islamic University in Islamabad (2012), Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (2007-2008) and the University of Warwick (2001-2003).
Phone: +31 70 800 9037
Address: Terrorism and Political Violence Group | Institute of Security and Global Affairs | Leiden University | Wijnhaven Building | Turfmarkt 99 | 2511 DP | The Hague, NL
Phone: +31 70 800 9037
Address: Terrorism and Political Violence Group | Institute of Security and Global Affairs | Leiden University | Wijnhaven Building | Turfmarkt 99 | 2511 DP | The Hague, NL
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Ever since the ‘war on terror’ was added to the mix, ‘others’ in Britain have been brutally demonised. Muslims, routinely presented as the source of society’s ills, are subjected to both symbolic and actual violence. Deep-seated and structurally racialised norms amplify the isolation and alienation impeding Muslim integration. Both these ‘left-behind’ Muslims and white-British groups who perceive themselves as the true nation are under pressure from ongoing geopolitical concerns in the Muslim world, as well as widening divisions at home.
Tahir Abbas argues that, in this context, the symbiotic intersections between Islamophobia and radicalisation intensify and expand. His book is a warning of the world that results: a rise in hate crime, the institutionalisation of Islamophobia, and the normalisation of war and conflict.
‘This book offers thorough insights into the concept of Islamophobia and the radicalisation of some Muslims in Europe and the UK. It is an antidote to crude stereotyping of all Muslims, and explores the fears of whole populations in the modern world.’ — Sally Tomlinson, Honorary Fellow, University of Oxford, and author of Education and Race from Empire to Brexit
‘Tahir Abbas’s study has the singular merit of demonstrating that Islamophobia and radicalisation are mirror images of each other, where Islamophobia—produced by historical discrimination and socio-economic marginalisation—rather than Islam has been the driving force.’ — George Joffé, Research Associate, London Middle East Institute, SOAS University of London
‘Abbas has brilliantly provided a timely and incisive analysis that examines the symbiotic relationship between Islamophobia and radicalisation within the historical, political, and cultural contours shaping contemporary geo-politics. This is required reading for our fraught political times.’ — Jasmin Zine, Professor of Sociology and Muslim Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University
In a series of case studies that cross the globe, contributors capture the experiences of being young and Muslim in ten countries—the United States, Canada, Britain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, and Indonesia. They examine urban youth from various socioeconomic backgrounds, addressing issues that range from hybrid identities and student activism to the strategic use of music and social media. With diverse disciplinary and methodological approaches, Political Muslims gives readers a nuanced and authentic understanding of the everyday social, economic, and political realities of young people.
Tahir Abbas draws on historical analysis and contemporary case studies to explore the post-war immigration and integration of Muslim groups, the complex relations that exist between a secular liberal Britain and a diverse but multifaceted Islam, and the extent of social and economic inequalities that affect Muslims as individual citizens and in local area communities. He shows how violent extremism among British Muslims is in reality influenced by a range of issues, including the factors of globalisation and contemporary politics, media and culture. Analysing and dissecting public policy, Abbas offers suggestions for tackling the major social, political and economic questions facing British Muslims in the post-7/7 era.
An important contribution to the study of religion, ‘race’ and ethnicity in modern Britain, this accessible work will be of interest to anyone working in the field of Islamic studies, sociology and political radicalism.
Reviews
‘Much of the commentary on Islam today is shrill and one-dimensional which further widens the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims. Because Tahir Abbas’ Islamic Radicalism and Multicultural Politics is reasoned, scholarly and aims to provide historical context it is a powerful corrective. Being both British and Muslim allows him to present us with a truly insider’s account.’ - Professor Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University
‘In the face of so many superficial denunciations of radical Islam in Britain, Tahir Abbas provides an account that is both broad in its historical coverage and profound in its social analysis. In his sweep of several centuries of South Asian Islamic thinking, Abbas includes the conflicts engendered by British colonialism, and the complex processes of immigration and settlement in Britain. He is especially good in his own speciality, the patterns of inequality in education and in the labour market, through which he shows how the global growth in radical thinking can articulate with domestic social disparities. Here is a distinctive voice entering the debate.’ - John R. Bowen, Washington University in St. Louis.
‘Terrorist incidents have created controversy about Islam and Muslims, and British Muslims have been part of this debate. Media and lay people take a very superficial view and blame Islam and Muslims for radicalisation. This book is an in-depth study of the causes of radicalisation of a section of British Muslims. It is a very useful study indeed and all those who want to understand this complex phenomenon should read the book: Dr Abbas has done a good job!’ - Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, India
‘A remarkable book, well researched, comprehensive in its coverage and highly relevant to contemporary British political concerns.’ - John Rex, Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology, Warwick University"
Volume III looks at education in the Middle East and Muslim Africa. Islam has its origins in the Middle East, and today many of the challenges Muslims face in relation to Islam and education are concentrated in this region. Volume IV explores the education of Muslims in North America and Europe, and of minorities in advanced liberal secular democracies.
Islam and Education is fully indexed and includes a comprehensive introduction newly written by the editor.
Ever since the ‘war on terror’ was added to the mix, ‘others’ in Britain have been brutally demonised. Muslims, routinely presented as the source of society’s ills, are subjected to both symbolic and actual violence. Deep-seated and structurally racialised norms amplify the isolation and alienation impeding Muslim integration. Both these ‘left-behind’ Muslims and white-British groups who perceive themselves as the true nation are under pressure from ongoing geopolitical concerns in the Muslim world, as well as widening divisions at home.
Tahir Abbas argues that, in this context, the symbiotic intersections between Islamophobia and radicalisation intensify and expand. His book is a warning of the world that results: a rise in hate crime, the institutionalisation of Islamophobia, and the normalisation of war and conflict.
‘This book offers thorough insights into the concept of Islamophobia and the radicalisation of some Muslims in Europe and the UK. It is an antidote to crude stereotyping of all Muslims, and explores the fears of whole populations in the modern world.’ — Sally Tomlinson, Honorary Fellow, University of Oxford, and author of Education and Race from Empire to Brexit
‘Tahir Abbas’s study has the singular merit of demonstrating that Islamophobia and radicalisation are mirror images of each other, where Islamophobia—produced by historical discrimination and socio-economic marginalisation—rather than Islam has been the driving force.’ — George Joffé, Research Associate, London Middle East Institute, SOAS University of London
‘Abbas has brilliantly provided a timely and incisive analysis that examines the symbiotic relationship between Islamophobia and radicalisation within the historical, political, and cultural contours shaping contemporary geo-politics. This is required reading for our fraught political times.’ — Jasmin Zine, Professor of Sociology and Muslim Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University
In a series of case studies that cross the globe, contributors capture the experiences of being young and Muslim in ten countries—the United States, Canada, Britain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, and Indonesia. They examine urban youth from various socioeconomic backgrounds, addressing issues that range from hybrid identities and student activism to the strategic use of music and social media. With diverse disciplinary and methodological approaches, Political Muslims gives readers a nuanced and authentic understanding of the everyday social, economic, and political realities of young people.
Tahir Abbas draws on historical analysis and contemporary case studies to explore the post-war immigration and integration of Muslim groups, the complex relations that exist between a secular liberal Britain and a diverse but multifaceted Islam, and the extent of social and economic inequalities that affect Muslims as individual citizens and in local area communities. He shows how violent extremism among British Muslims is in reality influenced by a range of issues, including the factors of globalisation and contemporary politics, media and culture. Analysing and dissecting public policy, Abbas offers suggestions for tackling the major social, political and economic questions facing British Muslims in the post-7/7 era.
An important contribution to the study of religion, ‘race’ and ethnicity in modern Britain, this accessible work will be of interest to anyone working in the field of Islamic studies, sociology and political radicalism.
Reviews
‘Much of the commentary on Islam today is shrill and one-dimensional which further widens the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims. Because Tahir Abbas’ Islamic Radicalism and Multicultural Politics is reasoned, scholarly and aims to provide historical context it is a powerful corrective. Being both British and Muslim allows him to present us with a truly insider’s account.’ - Professor Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University
‘In the face of so many superficial denunciations of radical Islam in Britain, Tahir Abbas provides an account that is both broad in its historical coverage and profound in its social analysis. In his sweep of several centuries of South Asian Islamic thinking, Abbas includes the conflicts engendered by British colonialism, and the complex processes of immigration and settlement in Britain. He is especially good in his own speciality, the patterns of inequality in education and in the labour market, through which he shows how the global growth in radical thinking can articulate with domestic social disparities. Here is a distinctive voice entering the debate.’ - John R. Bowen, Washington University in St. Louis.
‘Terrorist incidents have created controversy about Islam and Muslims, and British Muslims have been part of this debate. Media and lay people take a very superficial view and blame Islam and Muslims for radicalisation. This book is an in-depth study of the causes of radicalisation of a section of British Muslims. It is a very useful study indeed and all those who want to understand this complex phenomenon should read the book: Dr Abbas has done a good job!’ - Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, India
‘A remarkable book, well researched, comprehensive in its coverage and highly relevant to contemporary British political concerns.’ - John Rex, Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology, Warwick University"
Volume III looks at education in the Middle East and Muslim Africa. Islam has its origins in the Middle East, and today many of the challenges Muslims face in relation to Islam and education are concentrated in this region. Volume IV explores the education of Muslims in North America and Europe, and of minorities in advanced liberal secular democracies.
Islam and Education is fully indexed and includes a comprehensive introduction newly written by the editor.
in the Twenty-First Century
The inaugural lecture by
Prof. Dr. Tahir Abbas
by acceptance of the position of Professor
Radicalisation Studies
at the Universiteit Leiden
on Monday 6 February 2023.
VIDEO here: https://youtu.be/cKHx6ZkCuzE?t=20m51s
Mutliculturalism has become one of the testing grounds of modern liberal democracy and is facing enormous challenges. The recent flare up of Islamophobia and the confusion surrounding Muslim women dress, in addition to the PREVENT programme are real challenges to pluralism and inclusiveness. Yet integration is often presented as the lacking element in the minds of Muslims residing in the West. These multiple facets of the human-habitation need to be studied if proper evaluation of the ideological foundations of the modern world is to be understood. These issues will be addressed by the panelists.
political developments in the post war history of British race relations. Social class background
of individual students and the school effect have been shown to be the major determinants of
achievement but the precise characteristics of differences at the ethnic minority sub-group level
have remained uncharted. In addition, past research has primarily relied on large-scale
quantitative methods to develop comparative knowledge of South Asian educational
performance.
This research is an attempt to understand wider variations of difference in the educational
achievement of South Asians. The research is unique as it explores differences between
Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani groups, additionally distinguished along lines of social class,
ethnicity and gender. Six schools, three of which were selective and three comprehensive, and
three further education colleges, were used to obtain samples of South Asian pupils and
students. The methods used in this study were principally qualitative. Face-to-face in-depth
interviews with school pupils, parents and teachers accounted for the main part of the empirical
research, which was also supplemented by a survey of college students and a survey of
teachers.
The research explored the achievements, aspirations and motivations of pupils, students and
parents to analyse educational life histories, interpreting and evaluating differences between
South Asian groups by social class, ethnicity and gender, as well as religion and culture.
Teachers were interviewed and surveyed in order to determine their perceptions of and actions
in relation to South Asians in education. Altogether, 137 respondents (89 school pupils, 25
parents and 23 teachers) were interviewed by the researcher and 176 respondents (109 college
students and 67 teachers) participated in the two postal surveys (313 altogether). Questions
asked were about secondary school entry, 13-plus subject choices, GCSE and A level
achievements, and potential higher education entry.
It was found that all South Asians that entered `effective' schools performed competently. Furthermore, the factors which led to the positive educational outcomes for Indian (Hindu and Sikh) groups were oppositional to those which led to the educational underachievement of
South Asian Muslim groups and, here, rather more Pakistanis than Bangladeshis. The educational success of Indian groups was attributable to educational norms and values relative to social class. The educational experiences of Bangladeshis and Pakistanis were problematic, largely because of factors in their lives outside of school: such as the limited education and occupational levels of parents, parents' inadequate understanding of the education, and insufficient use of English within the home. Teachers interviewed from the sampled schools and colleges were inclined to advocate positive approaches for managing issues relating to South Asians in education.
In conclusion, therefore, it is argued that the educational achievements of South Asians in schools and colleges in Birmingham are closely related to social class background and the school effect. Factors associated with religion and culture are more likely to affect South Asian
Muslims. The increasingly competitive nature of the education system has led to a divergence between South Asian groups: with Hindu and Sikh Indians (including some East African Asians) firmly established as educational `successes' and Pakistani and Bangladeshi South Asian Muslims, in contrast, routinely considered as educational `failures'.