Muslim Families, Politics and the Law

According to the 2011 census, there are 2.7 million Muslims in England and Wales, forming about 5% of the population. This figure is revised by the Office for National Statistics to 3 million in 2015. Although many early Muslim migrants were single males anticipating return to their home countries, the Muslim population is predominantly constituted of families. Hence, matters affecting Muslim family life have grown in importance for which Muslims naturally seek guidance from Islamic law and practice. As a consequence of these developments, Muslim culture and family life have come under increasing scrutiny by political leaders, the media and the general public at large. All issues relating to marriage, divorce, the status of Muslim women and gender relations are discussed in Part I (chapters 3 to 6) of the book under review.