Amina Easat-Daas - Muslim Women’s Political Participation in France and Belgium

The TheNew Directions in Islam series will promote creative ways of conceptualizing the practice of Islam in new, challenging contexts and present innovative and provocative interdisciplinary studies examining intellectual, political, legal, economic, and demographic trajectories within Islam. series will promote creative ways of conceptualizing the practice of Islam in new, challenging contexts and present innovative and provocative interdisciplinary studies examining intellectual, political, legal, economic, and demographic trajectories within Islam.

Although recognised as the worlds fastest growing religion, many Muslims now live in secular societies where Islam is a minority religion and where there is considerable social conflict between Muslim communities and the wider society. Therefore it is vital to engage with the multitude of ways by which Muslims are adapting and evolving as social and cultural minorities.

How are they developing their faith in line with local and national customs? How are converts and subsequent generations adapting in these challenging contexts? This series moves beyond dichotomies about radicalism, citizenship, and loyalty evident in the proliferation of descriptive and repetitive studies of Islamophobia and Orientalism, which have become both negative and predictable. Rather, contrary to the perception of Muslims as victims of secular modernity, we are interested in 'success stories' of Muslims adapting in and contributing to society at local, national and even transnational levels, such as the case of Muslim middle classes in Canada, the United States, South Africa, and Argentina.

This series will go beyond the geographic boundaries of the Middle East to examine Islam from a global perspective in vastly different contexts from Brazil to Vietnam and Austria to Papua New Guinea.

More information about this series at http://www.palgrave.com/gp/series/14746

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This book would not be possible without the inspirational women who came forward to participate in this study. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your opinions and experiences with me, and your kind hospitality. Also, I am indebted to men and women in the numerous organisations who helped me throughout my fieldwork.

Additionally, the work was supported by my academic supervisors, mentors and influential colleagues throughout my developing academic career; too many to name, but of course I appreciate you.

Finally, this study would not have been possible had I have not received the studentship in French Studies from Aston University, I am immensely grateful and feel privileged to have received this award.