Becoming ‘Good Muslim’: The Tablighi Jamaat in the UK and Bangladesh

Description

The book uses an ethnographic approach to explore why the Tablighi Jamaat movement remains so successful in contemporary times. It shows that this success results from the positive image that it cultivates, and the systematic preaching activities of Tablighi Jamaat followers, and that the organisation’s apolitical image, the public profile of the ijtema, the humbleness of Tablighi followers, and the attraction of belonging to the global Tablighi community all help to create a positive image of the Tablighi Jamaat among ordinary Muslims. The book also argues that the Tablighi Jamaat remains successful because of its ability to hold its followers within a Tablighi-guided life, which is perceived as protection against the Western lifestyle. Many elements of contemporary Western lifestyle are considered non-Islamic, and so by clearly defining what is Islamic and non-Islamic in modern society, the Tablighi Jamaat provides a way in which Muslims can live in the contemporary world, but remain good Muslims. Front Matter ....Pages i-xv Introduction (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 1-10 Accessing the Tablighi Jamaat (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 11-27 Front Matter ....Pages 29-29 Islamic Reforms in Bangladesh (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 31-47 Undertaking a Chilla: Becoming a Tablighi Follower (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 49-60 Spiritual Journey Within the Tablighi Jamaat (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 61-76 Bishwa Ijtema as a New Form of Islamic Pilgrimage (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 77-100 Reconfiguring Gender Relations (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 101-115 Front Matter ....Pages 117-117 Tablighi Jamaat in the UK (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 119-128 Weekly Gasht: The Backbone of Tablighi Dawah (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 129-134 The Implications of the Tablighi Jamaat in the UK (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 135-148 Searching for a Global Identity (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 149-165 Conclusion (Bulbul Siddiqi)....Pages 167-172 Back Matter ....Pages 173-178