In 2004, Abbas published his first monograph, which was based on his PhD. Since then, he has published five further monographs, as well as 16 edited and co-edited collections. Experts in the field provide praise, with leading journals publishing reviews of books written, edited, or co-edited, with snippets from those reviews below. For a list of recent key publications, visit the publications page.
Global Counter-Terrorism: A Decolonial Approach, 2025 (February)
‘This edited collection is as timely as it is impressive. It showcases the work of international scholars working across a diverse range of disciplines, affording unusual breadth as well as remarkable depth. The book not only interrogates dominant approaches toward the study of terrorism and prevention of politically and religiously motivated violence from within the West, it proposes alternate and more inclusive perspectives, drawing across detailed case studies from countries in the Global South. In both charting and challenging the rise and consolidation of colonial epistemes in studies of terrorism, this landmark text will serve as a crucial inflection point … It is rare to find a collection that seamlessly blends together contributions from seasoned scholars with those offered by exciting and talented upcoming researchers. Further, this enterprise yields novelty and originality, as both conceptual and policy focussed similarities and differences are illuminated between the global North and the global South … A must read for academics, policy makers and those with a keen interest in security politics and international relations … —Professor Gabe Mythen, Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology/School of Law and Social Justice, University of Liverpool
Global counterterrorism: A decolonial approach lays down an important challenge – if studies of counterterrorism begin with 9/11, then counterterrorism outside the Global North is sidelined in our analyses. Beginning with 9/11 also silences the important connections between imperial laws imposed to quash rebellion in the colonies and the pre-emptive counterterrorism regimes used today … Refreshingly, this important volume draws upon case studies from Egypt, India, Pakistan, as well France, Norway, Britain and the USA – decentring 9/11 and highlighting the colonial matrix of power which structures policing, racialised othering, and counterterrorism powers across the globe … Happily, the volume also takes a pluralist approach to theory and method, with feminist analyses, framing theory and discourse analysis making appearances alongside decolonial approaches. A wonderful and varied volume which should make an appearance on every course list … –Professor Charlotte Heath-Kelly, PAIS, University of Warwick
pre-order this book here
Ruminations: Framing a sense of self and coming to terms with the other, 2022
“Ruminations”, [is] a combination of social critique, political analysis and a biographical description written by Tahir Abbas, a UK-born social scientist … —The Muslim World Book Review, 2023, 44(1).
At a time when Islam is mostly analyzed through dry statistics, theories and principles, Tahir Abbas reconnects with the memoir genre to provide a unique insight into his journey as a Muslim and an academic in different cultures and political contexts. Highly recommended. –Jocelyne Cesari, Professor of Religion and Politics at the University of Birmingham and Senior Fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University
From being a Birmingham boy with Azad Kashmiri-Pakistani roots to becoming a Professor of Radicalisation in the Netherlands, Abbas sheds light on his journey of overcoming the obstacles on the road to his current destination of becoming a distinguished academic. –Alia Amir, Associate Professor of English Linguistics, Mid-Sweden University
Tahir Abbas’ story is partly a biography of growing up in a racialised, gang-ridden inner city where bullies mill across the schoolyard and narrow alleys, but it is also a reportage of a steadily changing Britain where race, the imperial past, so-called majoritarianism, and suspicions of the ‘other’ still anchor communal relationships. –Iftikhar H. Malik, Professor Emeritus at Bath Spa University
Tahir Abbas lets us peep into the family, social circles, mosque culture, and the hidden or not-so-hidden racism experienced by a British-Pakistani-Englishman with ancestral roots in Kashmir … For me, the book combines the wisdom of a teacher with the innocence of a student who is still ‘reading’ the world and does not shy away from sharing his ideas. –Samina Yasmeen, Professor and Director, Centre for Muslim States and Societies, University of Western Australia
Thought-provoking contemplations. –Ziauddin Sardar, Editor-in-Chief of Critical Muslim
A charming and challenging ‘coming of age’ memoir of a young Muslim boy and his journey into political manhood in a strange and hostile land. A must-read that lifts the veil on Islamophobia! –Heidi Safia Mirza, Professor Emerita of Race, Faith and Culture at Goldsmiths and Professor Emerita in Equalities Studies at the UCL Institute of Education
As a post-Brexit UK struggles to accept that global dominance through an empire is no longer possible and that society is truly multiracial, multicultural, and multi-faith, this book captures the reality of growing up with immigrant parents and contributes to the creation of the newer society that is gradually emerging. –Sally Tomlinson, Emeritus Professor at Goldsmiths and an Honorary Fellow in the Department of Education, University of Oxford
The richness of the subject is matched by the excellence of the writing. Professor Abbas has reached a new level of literary attainment, –Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University
Ruminations is a poignant reflection on Tahir’s formative years and distinguished career. It is an incisive analysis punctuated with tender moments of introspection at the juncture of what makes us all human—individuality, community, and metaphysical longing. –Uzmah Ali, poet and public servant
Islamophobia and Securitisation: The Dutch Case (with L Welten), 2022
‘Welten and Abbas skilfully let their case study, detailing the views of Dutch Muslims communities, shed new light on patterns, dilemmas and double-edged discourses within counter-terrorism and counter-extremism policies and practices … [They] significantly contribute to the debate by providing original empirical data on the lived experience of diverse Muslim interlocutors … Islamophobia and Securitisation skilfully navigates readers through a murky and diffuse discourse. It gives them in-depth insight into the perspectives and lived experiences of Dutch Muslims related to broader political and media discourses on radicalisation and extremism … Welten and Abbas present a rich and energising study, detailing a critical and often overlooked bottom-up perspective from Dutch Muslim communities in relation to counter-extremism policies and practices’. –Sanne Groothuis, Critical Studies on Terrorism
‘[T]he securitisation of Islam and Muslims in the Netherlands, which is driven not only by real threats but also by Islamophobic politics and media discourse, may actually be reducing security, not improving it’. –Mark Sedgwick, Melbourne Asia Review
This is an important study. It offers a unique perspective on how Muslims in the Netherlands perceive and engage with CVE and deradicalization policies. Such a rare bottom-up perspective is critical to understanding the effects of these policies and enabling an important public conversation on them. —Nadia Fadil, Associate Professor in Anthropology, KU Leuven, Belgium
This thought-provoking and provocative interview-based study fills an important academic lacuna in exploring the Dutch Muslim community’s views on public discourse, government policies, and media portrayal regarding (counter-)radicalization. —Rik Peels, Associate Professor, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The authors offer a vivid and necessary analysis, and critically reflect on the relation between Islamophobia and radicalisation. The book is, therefore, an essential point of departure for scholars, students, policymakers, and journalists. —Martijn de Koning, Associate Professor, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands
This is an essential volume for scholars interested in issues like identity, Islamophobia, radicalisation, violent extremism, and how academic research, and subsequent policy, directly affects the experiences of Muslim Communities. –Jonathan Githens-Mazer, Associate Professor, University of Exeter, England
Exciting book that contributes to ongoing explorative research about the (side)effects of counter-radicalism and counter-extremism legislation and policies in the Netherlands. The focus on the experience and perspective of Muslims adds significantly to the depth of academic, socio-political debates about securitisation and islamophobia in Western-Europe. –Quirine Eijkman, Lecturer in Access to Law, Hogeschool Utrecht, Netherlands
The term ‘radical’ has almost become an empty signifier since it is being interchangeably used with extremism, terrorism, fundamentalism and violence by political figures, media outlets and even many scholars … this book stands out with its critical gaze. The authors of this work clearly depict the relational nature of the processes of radicalization that lead self-identified Muslims in the Netherlands to become more affiliated with essentialist forms of Islamic identity as a response to the structural, historical, societal and political forms of discrimination and exclusion as well as the practices of securitization of Islam and migration observable in the counter-radicalisation programs. I would like to welcome this book with great appreciation. –Ayhan Kaya, Professor, Istanbul Bilgi University, Turkey
Guided by compelling empirical data and a penetrating analysis, this book provides illuminating insights into the complexities of Islamophobia and the securitization of Dutch Muslims. Welten and Abbas provide a concise and yet rich study that deftly navigates from a bird’s eye view of the political landscape to the lived experience of diverse Muslim interlocutors whose voices are too often excluded. –Jasmin Zine, Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada
Countering Violent Extremism: A Global Deradicalization Agenda, 2021
‘Abbas explores the concept of CVE through various policies such as deradicalisation, prevention, disengagement, and counter-extremism … Abbas delves into the complexities of defining terrorism and examines the intricate role that states play in either mitigating or exacerbating these issues. He highlights that terrorism is often perceived through a social and political lens which influences how it is defined and addressed … Effective counter-terrorism strategies require holistic, evidence-based approaches. On the other hand, policies focused on “radicalisation” can obscure the distinction between non-violent ideological extremism and violence, potentially unnecessarily expanding the scope of counter- terrorism strategies to the detriment of those involved … Abbas argues that an integrated approach requires addressing structural inequalities, fostering community-driven interventions, and ensuring inclusive policies that target both the push and pull factors of radicalisation. He emphasises that without tackling the under-lying issues such as economic disparities, social exclusion, and political grievances, efforts to counter violent extremism will remain limited in their impact … Abbas suggests that inclusive, community-based policies considering local conditions and individual needs are critical to long-term success in combating violent extremism … Overall, this book emphasises the need for evidence-based research and policy to enhance the effectiveness of deradicalisation programmes. Abbas identifies the need for greater transparency and empirical evaluation in deradicalisation programmes to understand what works and why’, Critical Studies on Terrorism (August 2024) .
‘This is an insightful assessment of the strengths and limitations of countering violent extremism (CVE) programs around the world’ —Perspectives on Terrorism (February 2022)
A wide-ranging and provocative treatment of political violence today. Countering Violent Extremism not only provides researchers with a set of critical resources through which to interrogate dominant conceptions of extremism and terrorism. It also offers practitioners an important set of tools with which to situate and address diverse forms of violence. The book deserves the wide audience it will no doubt receive. –Lee Jarvis, Professor of International Politics and Research Director, University of East Anglia, UK
Countering Violent Extremism: The International Deradicalization Agenda provides a deeply insightful overview – and trenchant critique – of the contemporary terrorism and de-radicalisation field. I was particularly impressed with the clear and concise but always sophisticated analysis of this complex and often perplexing subject, and the simple but profound conclusions it draws about responding to political violence. A fine example of applied critical thinking and research-informed analysis, it should be required reading for everyone involved in the de-radicalisation field, whether as researchers or practitioners. –Richard Jackson, University of Otago, New Zealand
Challenging the status quo is as crucial for CVE as it is for global security, especially when considering that the status quo can lead to ignoring or misrepresenting the underlying causes of terrorism and extremism. This book is a welcome departure from stagnant CVE evaluations that contribute to lackluster or damaging programming. –Kris McGuffie, Deputy Director, Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, USA
Islamophobia and Radicalisation: A Vicious Cycle, 2019
‘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
‘It is an excellent and timely book that illuminates the driving forces of racism and conflict dynamics of our time … While the book draws mainly from the historical experience of Moslems [sic] in the UK and from the dialectics among Islamophobia and radicalism especially after the seventies, it is strongly framed by the global and transnational interconnections of the relations of the Moslem [sic] world with the West and bears clear witness that this relation was not always conflictual … The book is well structured and organized in fourteen symmetrical chapters in a rather spiral form, as each chapter highlights persuasively the main argument of the author and it is carefully interwoven with the rest of the book. Unlike culturalist approaches of racism(s), Abbas invites the reader to locate the racialization and alienation of unprivileged “others” in the long tradition of capitalism, modernity and colonialism that frames nationalist essentialisms and generates non assimilable subjects forced at the edges of social order, constructed as essentially dangerous and naturally terrorist citizens … As both Islamophobia and the possibility of empathy and understanding of the “other” is in front of “us” the book has a long, promising and challenging way to cover’, Ethnic and Racial Studies. [Review in full].
Tahir Abbas, a British-born social scientist whose ancestors came from what is now Pakistan-administered Kashmir, is not a Marxist. And there is no theology in his Islamophobia and Radicalisation: A vicious cycle, except for an epilogue in praise of the thirteenth-century Sufi mystic and poet, Rumi, whose core message was of universal love. In 2016 Abbas was prevented by President Erdoğan’s repressive measures from continuing as a professor of sociology at a Turkish university. He moved first to London, and now works in the Institute of Security and Global Affairs at Leiden University in the Hague. His carefully documented book includes an analysis of different kinds of Islamophobia, as well as a qualified defence of multiculturalist policies. These, he thinks, are too hastily dismissed, whereas they have had some success in allowing ethnic differences to enhance a sense of national identity. Yet the ideals of diversity, however commendable, “mean little without equality or fraternity”. He argues that group competition for scarce resources is hardwired into us all. And despite his final appeal in the spirit of Rumi, Abbas is fatalistic: “It is these seeds of existence that will ultimately provide the basis of human destruction” ’, Times Literary Supplement [Review in full – behind paywall].
‘Islamophobia and Radicalisation: A Vicious Cycle is a comprehensive and well-documented text, which sets high standards for future scholars working on Muslims and the rise of anti-Muslim hatred in societies with white majority cultures. The book is a worthy addition to the increasing corpus of studies on Islamophobia. Its unique contribution lies in demonstrating how Islamophobia and radicalisation are interrelated but also mutually reinforcing due to
the interaction of local, national and global forces … The text would be of particular interest to those interested in race studies, security studies, Islamic studies, postcolonial studies, secularisation and modernisation studies, and the sociology of religion’, Postcolonial Studies [Review in full].
‘Radicalisation begets radicalisation; this is both the starting point and conclusion of this elaborative and critical book. Based on this premise of mutual and reciprocal radicalisation, Tahir Abbas critically examines the hypothesis of a vicious radicalisation cycle embedded in the thinking and practice of Islamophobia. With a primary focus on Western Europe, Abbas provides us with a critique of the multiple manifestations of Islamophobia and its underlying base
of economic, social and psychological displacement and discontent. Abbas’ Islamophobia and Radicalisation: A Vicious Cycle is an important contribution to this popular field of study precisely because of its emphasis on the relational dynamics that are often overlooked in the research, policy and practice that aims to counter far-right and Islamist extremism … By carefully assessing how the figure of the Muslim has been constructed and applied as an object of study and a subject of scrutiny, Abbas’ words are a reminder to academics, journalists, policy makers and the general public to critically assess the use of narrow categories in the analysis and dealings of complex social realities’, Journal of Intercultural Studies [Review in full].
Political Muslims: Understanding Youth Resistance in a Global Context (co-edited with S Hamid), 2018
‘Muslim youth, like Muslims in general and Islam itself, resist narrow stereotypes and incendiary shibboleths. In Political Muslims both Islamism and Islamic radicalization are addressed, but so are music, sports and education. Indeed, no topic, no problem and no prejudice is omitted from this comprehensive, insightful and timely volume. Highly recommended’, Bruce B Lawrence, Professor Emeritus of Islamic Studies, Duke University.
‘Political Muslims represents a significant work insofar as it provides an important and valuable alternative portrait of socially and politically engaged Muslim youth mobilizing their religious identity and particular interpretations of religion in ways that allow them to pursue political agendas’, Peter Mandaville, Professor of International Affairs, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University.
‘Throughout the excellent volume is a recurrent theme of “normalisation of Islam” and “indigenization of Islamic cultural interactions” through youth engagements in different parameters of global society. From acceptance of religious norms amongst the MSAs in Canada to the realization of the strength of pen against violence in Kashmir valley, this is a story of how Muslim youth is so much more than a uniform identity developed as a result of orientalist writings. This book is crucial for those meaning to research further the diversity that exists in Muslim societies across the globe. In many ways the edited volume is a Pandora’s box into layers of identity, social stigmas, cultural burdens, heritage, and lived realities interfering in the making of self in the 21st century—especially for the Muslims who are far from singularity of any type. Each chapter is an entry port into a new social system of people and socio-political challenges which the Muslim youth engages with the help of different tools of resistance, acceptance, negotiations in order to situate and re-situate themselves in different times and spaces‘, Reading Religion, an open book review website published by the American Academy of Religion. [Review in full].
‘Employing various disciplinary and methodological perspectives, ranging from educational studies to the sociology of religion and culture, religious studies, political anthropology and cultural studies inter alia, the various contributions of this richly documented volume spotlight Muslim youth’s diverse forms of empowerment and resistance versus dominant religious, cultural and socio-political narratives and through their active involvement in the arts, politics, digital sphere and society of their respective countries. These different case studies of Muslim youth activists in Muslim majority and minority countries debunk in a relevant way these essentialist and simplistic perspectives still existing among some academic and political circles perceiving Muslim youth monochromatically through the prism of “terrorism” and “violent radicalism”. Eventually, they denote the complexity and differentiation of human and collective experiences of Muslim youth, shaping processes of contextual expression and normalisation of Islam on the one hand and transnational consciousness of being young and Muslim on the other’, Anthropological Notebooks [Review in full].
Contemporary Turkey in Conflict: Ethnicity, Islam and Politics, 2017
‘Tahir Abbas surveys some of the major ideas and actors of contemporary Turkish politics and examines the social and economic transformation of the country. Ideal as a reference for understanding state-society relations in Turkey, Abbas’ witty and penetrating analysis of Turkish politics is unique. This is a remarkable and a brilliant book’, M. Hakan Yavuz, University of Utah.
‘Tahir Abbas’ study of contemporary Turkey systematically explores the nuances of ethnic relations and social conflict in the current epoch. It is an inspired sociological, political science and socio-historical contribution to existing research on this complex, fraught and multi-layered nation’, Ferhat Kentel, İstanbul Şehir University.
‘Tahir Abbas’ interdisciplinary study Contemporary Turkey in Conflict: Ethnicity, Islam and Politics … can serve as an ideal reference book for those who wish to understand the transformations and conflicts occurring in contemporary Turkey … Abbas elegantly explores the various nuances of Turkish politics over the last decade … overall Abbas’ study is a remarkable opus for an understanding of contemporary Turkey in terms of state-society relations … Abbas proceeds by means of a solid multidisciplinary approach combining sociological, political science, and sociohistorical points of views, making the book quite multidimensional overall. And lastly, the book is exceedingly well written, very readable, and lucid’, New Perspectives on Turkey [Review in full].
‘Tahir Abbas, now a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Department of Government in the London School of Economics and formerly a sociology professor at Fatih University in Istanbul, utilizes his experiences and insights on Turkish society in this new book. The overall theme of the study is that Turkish society is not able to escape the ‘lure of authoritarianism’ (p. xi). This work covers numerous contemporary issues, including minority rights and the Kurdish conflict as well the Gezi Park occupation protests and their aftermath. It also makes references to a history punctuated by conflicts and clashes between the center and periphery. At its core, the book is an inquiry into changes in Turkish society which, Abbas contends, is a composite of post-Islamism and post-Kemalism … The question of who should read this book is rather a difficult one. Scholars and researchers who already have a high level of knowledge about Turkey may benefit from this book’, Turkish Studies. [Review in full].
‘In Contemporary Turkey in Conflict, Tahir Abbas diligently analyses the complex dynamics between ethnicity, nationalism and Islam in relation to neo-liberalism and conservatism. His original emphasis is on how issues of political trust and social capital have impacted citizenship and identity in Turkey since the rise of AKP, and to what extent the ethnic, religious and cultural dimensions of Turkish identity have changed … [He] provides a historically-conscious analysis of Turkish politics [and] explains the complex nature of Turkish politics through the lens of ‘exceptionalism’—due to Islam’s paradoxical relations with ethnicity and nationalism. In particular, for Abbas, the ‘historical and political formation of the Turkish nation is rather different than western European conceptualizations’. Therefore, the complex ‘ethnic and racial tensions that exist in Turkey’—such as the Kurdish issue—are less well understood (p. 55) … Abbas advances his arguments based on Turkish exceptionalism […] arising from a unique combination of ethnic nationalism and Islamism’, International Affairs. [Review in full].
Contemporary Turkey in Conflict is an eloquently written and comprehensively sourced study on the sociopolitical transformation of Turkey over the past decade. While several of the threads the author draws out are left rather hanging, there is [no] doubt that the themes Abbas identifies and picks apart through close interdisciplinary analysis are the core issues Turkey is facing. His contextualization of the issues, as well as the in-depth information he provides across the chapters, help the reader grasp the very essence of many of Turkey’s problems in this period of transition. All criticism aside, the book is not only a welcome addition to the booming literature on Turkey (and the AKP regime in particular), but also provides new insight into old issues, while raising new questions that will, undoubtedly, open new avenues for research’, New Middle Eastern Studies [Review in full].
Islamic Radicalism and Multicultural Politics: The British Experience, 2011
‘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.
‘Sociologist Tahir Abbas’ Islamic Radicalism and Multicultural Politics is a fine addition to his earlier series of works on the theme of Muslim Britain and multiculturalism … This is a comprehensive study of the Muslim minority in Britain, the politics of communitarianism, and British government policies since the post-war Muslim migration … The book is an exciting read, and provides an informative glimpse into Islam’s history, its organizational structure, and the various strands of its radical character. The author is himself a British Muslim (though currently teaching in Turkey), which makes his voice distinctive and adds strength to his arguments. Overall, this is a thoughtful, well-written account by a distinguished scholar in his field. The work is distinct in its clear description of the complex relationship between secular liberal Britain and militant Muslim Britain. The author has successfully constructed a coherent narrative on British multiculturalism and Islamic radicalism … It should be read by anyone seeking to acquire a deeper understanding of Muslim Britain, Islamic radicalism, and multicultural policy’, Studies in Ethnicity and Nationalism. [Review in full].
‘Tahir Abbas has been exploring the relationship between British Islam, multiculturalism and Islamic radicalism for more than a decade. In this new publication he develops further some of the ideas found within his 2007 edited volume Islamic political radicalism, making five central arguments. First, he suggests that contemporary Islamic radicalism can be traced to strands of early Muslim history (chapters 1 and 2). Second, he argues that post-war Muslim migration to Britain has given rise to significant Muslim social, economic and cultural capital, even though the majority of the British-Muslim population still live in marginalized inner-city communities (chapters 3 and 4). Third, he notes that, as a result of persistent ‘orientalism’, British Muslims have continued to be presented as a cultural ‘other’ (chapter 5). Fourth, he questions the nature and future of British multiculturalism and the apparent shift from an advocacy of diversity to an increasing call for assimilation as a means of achieving community cohesion (chapter 6). And fifth, Abbas locates contemporary Islamist politics in the UK in experiences of Islamophobia (especially post the Salman Rushdie affair and post-9/11 and -7/7), social exclusion, and arguments premised on the so-called ‘clash of civilizations’ thesis and the allied assertion that a clear Muslim identity somehow contradicts Muslim ‘loyalty’ to Britain (chapters 7 and 8). …[T]his book provides a valuable resource for all who are interested in the future of urban multiculturalism in Britain, in the pathways that British Islam may take in the next generation, and in the ways in which these two questions intertwine and affect us all’, Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations. [Review in full].
‘Being an original research, written in a lucid, coherent and consistent style, the description being captivating and fascinating, Islamic Radicalism and Multicultural Politics, on the whole, is an incredible and remarkable contribution to the study of religion, race and ethnicity in modern Britain. The book will prove much useful and helpful uniformly to the students and scholars, who are working in the fields of ethnic studies, political science, Islamic studies and sociology’, Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs. [Review in full].
… ‘[I]n the face of endemic public mis-representation of Islam in general, and Islamism in particular, this book makes a welcome effort to change perceptions … I am always searching for books that I can recommend to sociologists who want to develop their teaching in this area. In some respects, Islamic Radicalism fits that bill. The chapter on the history of the political strand of Islam is particularly succinct and useful. Abbas then covers post-war immigration, education, employment, Islamophobia in the media, arguments over multiculturalism, Muslims’ global political identities and crime/terror. With its meticulous referencing, the book contains masses of information which would help both academics and students find their way into this extremely important field’, Network: Magazine of the British Sociological Association.
‘Overall the book is a must read not only for those interested in British Muslims, but it enlightens any reader about the problems and reasons for radicalization of Muslims in West. The young author must be congratulated for this serious academic effort, as he goes beyond the conventional discourse on Muslims in the West and offers many valuable insights that can help policy makers, academics, politicians, and students to understand the pristine picture of Muslims without any prejudice and bias’, Journal of Islamic State Practices in International Law.
Honour, Violence, Women and Islam (co-edited, with MM Idriss), 2010 (published in paperback in 2011)
‘This is a very useful volume inasmuch as it demonstrates the complexities involved in so-called crimes of honour and discusses these sensitive issues from a variety of perspectives: the lack of due diligence and legal and cultural punishments, the notion of human rights, ideas of such violence as a problem of the other as against a frequent occurrence in the lives of receiving countries. It makes a very significant contribution to the literature on violence against women, both in Islam and globally, and suggests policies and reforms that should be employed in combating honour-related violence. It is a valuable source of information for everyone interested in this area’, Religion and Human Rights. [Review in full].
‘As an edited collection (essentially a series of essays) this text is essential reading for anybody with an interest in this area. It is an eclectic mix which explores the concept from a multi-cultural, multi-dimensional and international perspective. One of the main strengths of the book is its appeal to a wide audience. Students, practitioners and academics alike, will find this book invaluable reading. On a more theoretical level, feminists, criminologists and sociologists alike will find this an informative read providing an overview of the problem of HRV. This book is essential reading to those involved in the construction and (re)formulation of social policy and legal issues’, Internet Journal of Criminology. [Review in full].
‘The volume provides comprehensive research findings on and analyses of HBV. Most of the essays contain detailed theoretical arguments as well as some empirical research. The volume targets not only academics and specialists in the field of HBV and gender studies but also activists, policy makers and government officials’, Social & Legal Studies. [Review in full].
‘In a world where myths are intertwined with truths, and objectivity gives way to subjective and elaborate narratives that are meant not to analyse but to shock, Honour, Violence, Women and Islam, a scholarly attempt to address questions of honour-related violence, is a truly exceptional publication…To realise these goals, the volume draws upon an extensive variety of qualitative research, as well as the expertise of practitioners from various backgrounds: lawyers, sociologists and criminologists, journalists, human rights activists and Islamic theologians. In such a multi-disciplinary manner, the authors explore unique features of honour-related violence and thus offer a truly in-depth analysis of the phenomenon…Honour, Violence, Women and Islam is among the first complete guides to honour-related violence, and undoubtedly represents a valuable source of information and point of reference for everyone interested in this area of study – postgraduates and academics interested in this area of study, social workers dealing with honour related violence and policy makers alike. It is suitable for anyone seeking a broader picture of the sociological and legal contexts of crimes of honour’, In-Spire: journal of law, politics and societies. [Review in full].
‘Most, if not all, of the essays contained in this volume point to an urgent need to address the problem of violence against women in concrete form, whether through advocacy or law enforcement. Immigrant women form a particularly vulnerable group. The overall tenor of the book is that regardless of one’s view of state power, the state has a moral obligation to protect its citizens that trumps cultural and/or religious justifications of violence. How this intervention is theorized or legitimized, from the perspective of many contributing authors, is significantly less important than that government and law enforcement agencies act swiftly and humanely to protect victims of violence. Tolerance for religious practices and freedoms should not include tolerance of gender violence and tyranny’, Journal of Law and Religion. [Read in full].
Islamic Political Radicalism: A European Experience (ed.), 2007
‘A relevant read, especially in the current political climate’, Regeneration & Renewal.
‘Islamic Political Radicalism is a refreshing change… an outstanding contribution’, American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences.
‘Islamic Political Radicalism is a wide-ranging and intellectually challenging addition to the literature that has mushroomed since 9/11 … All in all, there is no doubt about this book’s topical significance and its relevance in the current climate. There is much in it that should be of interest and value to scholars in a range of disciplines, to policy-makers and, indeed, those socially and politically engaged in various communities, here in Britain and elsewhere’, Journal of Islamic Studies.
‘Tahir Abass’s [sic] edited volume Islamic Political Radicalism: A European Perspective makes an important and timely intervention on Islamic radicalism and, to be more specific, on Britain after the July 2005 London attacks…The book’s primary contribution is in transcending the orientalist tendency to focus on Islamic theology as the source of radical Islam, instead approaching the debate from the perspective of political economy, history, and international politics…By employing historical and social scientific analyses, the book allows for a grounded understanding of the experiences of radical segments of Europe’s Muslim population in a human and humanistic way’, International Journal of Middle Eastern Studies.
Muslim Britain: Communities under Pressure (ed.), 2005
‘A wide-ranging and invaluable guide to the highly complex and diverse nature of British Muslims from South Asia. Those wishing to get to the heart of Muslim communities should read this book.’, Professor Ziauddin Sardar, author of Desperately Seeking Paradise: Journeys of a Sceptical Muslim.
‘Plunged into a post-Rushdie and now post-September 11 world British Muslims have had to face urgent issues of Islamophobia, gender, identity and media representation. Dr Tahir Abbas’ excellent collection has brought together some of the leading authorities to help make sense of these issues in a rapidly changing and even threatening world’, Professor Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldum Chair of Islamic Studies and Professor of International Relations, American University, Washington DC, USA.
‘This volume is a rich and stimulating contribution. It should be read by all, within Islamic communities and without’, Fred Halliday, Professor of International Relations, LSE, author of ’100 Myths About the Middle East’, ‘Islam and the Myth of Confrontation’, and ‘Arabs in Exile: Yemeni Migrants in Urban Britain’.
‘We are at an important moment in the process of integration between British society and its Muslim communities. The events of 11 September 2001 focused attention on questions which had been simmering but only very carefully placed into the public debate. With increasing vitality, this process has come into the open, often in surprising and usually in surprisingly constructive ways. This collection of papers is a major contribution to that debate and will help move it forward’, Jorgen S. Nielsen, Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Birmingham.
‘This essential collection is a highly welcome and important contribution to the subject’, Professor Steven Vertovec, Professor of Transnational Anthropology, University of Oxford and Director of the ESRC Centre on Migration, Policy and Society.
‘The book is a valuable contribution to the vital question of how best to ensure the successful incorporation of British Muslims into the values of a liberal democracy’, Political Studies Review.
‘Tahir Abbas is to be commended for his edited collection of essays about Muslim life in Britain post 9/11…This book is required reading for those of us interested in the broader question of what it means to be human in the modern world’, Comparative Islamic Studies.
‘The breadth of subject matter, variety of expertise and insightful analysis are the qualities that impressed me about this book. Particular credit should be given to the editor, Tahir Abbas for managing to squeeze quite a lot in, bringing together a varied collection of essays and managing to make sense of them so that the flow from one part to the next is natural and seamless’, openDemocracy Ltd.
The Education of British South Asians: Ethnicity, Capital and Class Structure, 2004
‘Tahir Abbas sets out to explore variation in the educational performance of South Asians (Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and East Africans) in the city of Birmingham in relation to both ethnicity and capital. He defines capital as ‘a function of the individual’s or group’s ability to generate, maintain and cultivate the “resources” that help to mobilise social and economic advancement, which include information, knowledge and networks, and social class’ (p. 1). The book draws on quite extensive fieldwork conducted over a 3 year period involving interviews with South Asian school pupils and parents together with surveys of college students and interviews and surveys with teachers … Abbas consistently finds that social class combined with ethnicity and cultural and social capital is a major factor in explaining differences in the educational performance of South Asians. He argues that particular Indian communities (mainly Hindu, Sikh and East African Asian) are able to take advantage of existing opportunity structures. ‘As well as occupying higher social positions in mainstream society, they are also able to send their children to schools that are selective and feepaying through the realisation of economic, cultural and social capital’ (p. 142). They adopt a range of strategies in order to ensure greater educational success of their children. This includes becoming actively engaged in the schooling of their children and in many cases steering their children’s choices of subjects at GCSE and higher education level. In contrast, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis tend to live in ‘inner-city areas, enter local schools where resources are limited and the infrastructures of schools do not permit the same degree of access to educational and ultimately occupational opportunity’ (p. 137). Although they may be inclined to proceed with selective schooling, ‘they did not possess the social and economic capital required’ (p. 57) … Gender emerges as an important theme in relation to student experiences, but as Abbas’s analysis implies, it needs to be read in its articulation with class and other social factors … Tahir Abbas has presented a readable book that will make a useful contribution to the literature. It provides evidence for what is often assumed knowledge about South Asian communities, such as the extent of parents’ involvement in their children’s educational ‘choices’ and how this varies among the different Asian communities. More importantly, it reminds us of the continued significance of social class in the educational experiences of schoolchildren in England’, International Journal of Lifelong Education. [Read in full]