The New Muslim Ethical Elite

"Silent Revolution" or the Commodification of Islam

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3365253
AutoresJoshua M Roose (0000-0002-7689-9652, Deakin University, autor correspondente)
Ano2020
Volume11
Fascículo7
Páginas347
Data de publicação2020-07-10
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoReligions (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel11070347
OpenAlexW3040714022
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3
Referências citadas29

Very little research has examined the emergence of Western Muslims into the elite professions that are central to the operation of the capitalist free market and that serve as a central location of economic and political power. Less research still has examined how this is shaping citizenship among Muslims and the future of Islam in the West. These professions include finance, trade and auditing and supporting free market infrastructure including commercial law, consulting and the entrepreneurial arms of government public service. Many Muslim men and women in these professions maintain a commitment to their faith and are often at the forefront of identifying opportunities for the application of Islamic principles to the free market through the development of social engineering mechanisms such as Islamic finance and home loans, Islamic wills, marriage contracts, businesses and context-specific solutions for Muslim clients. These may have a potentially profound impact on belonging and practice for current and future generations of Western Muslims. The political and economic clout (and broader potential public appeal) of these new Muslim elites often significantly outweighs that of Imams and Sheikhs and thus challenges traditional textually based Islam. This article, grounded in empirical research, seeks to build upon very limited research looking at Muslim elites, exploring these developments with specific reference to professionals working in Islamic finance and law across the Western contexts of Australia and the United States, two countries with capitalist free markets and significant Muslim minorities

Citizenship · Commodification · Economics · Economy · Elite · Faith · Islam · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Islamic Finance and Banking Studies · Law · Microfinance and Financial Inclusion · Taxation and Compliance Studies