The conversion to Islam is a joyous and touching moment for both the new Muslim and their already-Muslim brethren. Entering the faith is an easy ritual that only requires the proclamation that “there is no god but Allah and that Mohammed is His servant and messenger” in the presence of a group of the faithful. The process of integration within the Muslim community is often much more demanding.

Converts to Islam are, often, faced by a number of challenges, including rejection by own families, mistrust from other Muslims, a pressure to adopt a particular group’s religious or cultural practices, and even racism.

In this talk, Dr Leon Moosavi will share findings from his four year study into the experiences of the growing number of Britons who are choosing to convert to Islam. He will identify the main difficulties faced by Muslim converts and propose ideas for tackling these issues.

Speaker: Dr. Leon Moosavi
Date: 16 Mar 2012
Time: 18:45 - 20:30
Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP

Free entrance. All welcome. No reservation needed.
If you have any questions, please contact Sid on sid@thecitycircle.com .

The speaker:
Dr. Leon Moosavi completed his PhD in the Sociology Department of Lancaster University in 2011. His thesis examined conversion to Islam in contemporary Britain, with the title: ‘Race’, Islamophobia and Belonging in the Experiences of Muslim Converts in Britain in which he engaged with debates about the place of religion in contemporary Britain, the post-conversion experience, the embodiment and performance of religious identity, definitions of Islamophobia, the racialisation of religious identities, the interface between religious and national belonging, and the dynamics of Muslim communities in Britain. He has published some of his research findings in journals and as book chapters. He is currently working on a European Union funded project which examines Muslim converts, extremism and counter-terrorism policy in Britain. He can be contacted on: reza_moosavi@hotmail.co.uk .