Fighting for “Justice”, Engaging the Other : Shi’a Muslim Activism on the British University Campus

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Main author: Scott-Baumann, Alison
Other authors: Esposti, Emanuelle Degli
Format: Journal Article           
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id eprints-31657
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description While Shi’a Muslims remain in the minority in Europe, including within universities, the past decade has witnessed the growing profile of Shi’ism on university campuses, especially in Britain. In particular, there has been an emphasis on campaigns that prioritise notions of justice, equality, and human rights. Drawing on interviews and ethnographic fieldwork conducted amongst Twelver Shi’a students in Britain between 2013–2018, this paper examines the forms of Shi’a activism currently being articulated on university campuses, especially those that explicitly seek to engage non-Muslims and spread awareness about Shi’a Islam. On the one hand, such practices constitute a form of self-representation for Shi’a students who would otherwise feel marginalised within the university space; while on the other, they promote a particular version of Shi’a Islam that both frames it within the European context and that also contributes to the sectarianisation of the contemporary Shi’a subject. While the forms and resonance of Shi’a student activism arguably only have meaning within the context of contemporary Europe, we argue that the discursive contours underpinning such activism ultimately transcend such national and cultural boundaries and contribute to a reinterpretation and reimagining of Shi’a sectarian identity for the modern age
format Journal Article
author Scott-Baumann, Alison
author_facet Scott-Baumann, Alison
Esposti, Emanuelle Degli
authorStr Scott-Baumann, Alison
author_letter Scott-Baumann, Alison
author2 Esposti, Emanuelle Degli
author2Str Esposti, Emanuelle Degli
title Fighting for “Justice”, Engaging the Other : Shi’a Muslim Activism on the British University Campus
publisher MDPI
publishDate 2019
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/31657/

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