Sunni Muslim Religiosity in the UK Muslim Diaspora: Mosques in Leeds Compared

In modernity traditional Islam has been challenged by a separation from various spheres of life, first under colonial powers and then independent nation-states. Traditional patterns of religious authority have further been undermined by individualism and the pluralisation of sources of knowledge in an age of new media. In the context of migration to the West, some scholars have argued that modern Muslim identities are becoming more secularised and individualised. However, in a local case study of Sunni religiosity in the UK, I show that, overall, this is not the case in the city of Leeds. In Chapter 1 I examine a three-part typology of Muslim responses to modernity dwelling on the orientations of reformists and (neo)traditionalists. In Chapter 2 I outline the migrations which have seen South Asian and Middle Eastern Muslims and their associated (neo)traditional and reformist movements established in the UK. Chapter 3 offers an account of the qualitative methodology I used in researching the views of around 40 imams, scholars and members of the congregation across four different Sunni mosques in Leeds. In Chapter 4 I locate these mosques and their history, unpacking key ethnic and religious differences. Chapter 5 underlines the difficulty of establishing Muslim unity through case studies of the celebration of ‘Eid al-Adha and the work of Leeds Muslim Forum. Chapter 6 argues that although not always the most expert in terms of authority, mosque imams are the key providers of religious advice to their congregations. Chapter 7 suggests that while most Sunni Muslims and religious experts in Leeds assert the importance of following a school of law (taqlid), they also affirm the desirability of use of ijtihad (independent reasoning) by a mujtahid (one qualified to exercise ijtihad) in the specific contexts of the UK. Overall, Sunni Muslim religiosity in Leeds remains deeply influenced by tradition, something reinforced by ethnicity and sect.