Book Launch: "Muslims of Europe: The 'Other' Europeans" by Dr H.A. Hellyer

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:45 in Discussion Forums

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Where: Dialogue Society, London
by Dr H.A. Hellyer, Fellow at the Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations (CRER), University of Warwick

Panellists

Prof. Steven Greer, University of Bristol
Dr H.A. Hellyer, University of Warwick

Synopsis

The interchange between Muslims and Europe has a long and complicated history, dating back to before the idea of 'Europe' was born, and the earliest years of Islam. There has been a Muslim presence on the European continent before, but never has it been so significant, particularly in Western Europe. With more Muslims in Europe than in many countries of the Muslim world, they have found themselves in the position of challenging what it means to be a European in a secular society of the 21st century. At the same time, the European context has caused many Muslims to re-think what is essential to them in religious terms in their new reality.

In this work, H.A. Hellyer analyses the prospects for a European future where pluralism is accepted within unified societies, and the presence of a Muslim community that is of Europe, not simply in it. He draws upon his academic expertise in a variety of disciplines, including sociology, politics and religious studies, in order to give the reader a thorough theoretical backdrop. Uniquely, he combines this knowledge with his background as an independent scholar engaged in policy networks and institutions. The result is a work that has drawn critical acclaim from some of the most noted scholars in the West on a very important topic.

This is the first of a series of events that will be held on the themes of Dr Hellyer’s book in 2009/10 in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Pluralism is certainly one of the key issues facing us today, and Dr Hellyer’s book is a fresh perspective on an age-old topic. See more on the book and author at www.hahellyer.com

Key praise:

“[Dr Hellyer] draws on theory but is focused on real-world problems and the book is informed by his good sense and a search for the middle ground.” (Tariq Modood, University of Bristol)

“I can think of few books that are more timely and important. H. A. Hellyer’s Muslims of Europe: The ‘Other’ Europeans is must reading for scholars, students and policymakers.” (John Esposito, Georgetown University)

“I am impressed, indeed astounded, by the comprehensiveness of Dr Hellyer's remarkable book. It deals with the history of Islam, particularly in Europe, has total familiarity with issues of Muslim theology, deals thoroughly with the questions of discrimination, and, by extension, the so-called "clash of civilisations" thesis.” (John Rex, University of Warwick)

Biography of H.A. Hellyer

H.A. Hellyer is Fellow at the Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations at the University of Warwick (UK) and Director of the West – Muslim world relations research consultancy, the Visionary Consultants Group (UK, Egypt & Malaysia). A United Nations ‘Global Expert’ on minority-majority relations, political philosophy, and the interplay between religion and modernity, Dr. Hellyer was Ford Fellow of the Project on US – Islamic World Relations at the Brookings Institution.

As Senior Research Fellow at Warwick University, he was ESRC Placement Fellow at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office from October 2007 to April 2008, offering independent advice on Muslim European communities. In the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings, Dr Hellyer was nominated as Deputy Convenor of the UK Government’s Home Office working group on Muslim communities, to provide independent counsel and critique.

A prolific commentator in Western media and media in the Muslim world, he is currently completing work on his next book entitled “Muslims on the Margins: Muslim Minorities in Southeast Asia, Africa and the West”.

Please visit www.hahellyer.com for further information about the book and the author.