Sectarianism in the South Asian

Muslim Diaspora in Britain: the case

of the Ahl-e-Hadith and the Jamaat-e-
Islami from 1960 onwards.

Abstract
Studies of Muslims in Britain focus excessively on generational conflict and the
subsequent shift in identity from ethnicity to Islam. An avenue that is under
researched is the role of sectarianism in the Muslim diaspora in Britain. This
paper will specifically look at how the Ahl-e-Hadith and the Jamaat-e-Islami
inspired groups established themselves in Britain and analyse their subsequent
ideological developments from the 1960 onwards.
Through personal interviews and archival research this paper argues that
the Ahl-e-Hadith ideologically turned away from South Asia and towards the
Arabs. This Arab turn affected both factions, but particularly the second
generation Ahl-e-Hadith groups who also imbibed Arab culture. Moreover the
Ahl-e-Hadith faction was bolstered by Saudi scholars and University of Medina
graduates who were taught Salafism, an interpretation of Islam that was heavily
influenced by the early Ahl-e-Hadith and thus have very similar ideological roots.
The Jamaat-e-Islami, on the other hand, also experienced some influence from
the Arabs but largely turned towards the ummah and what they termed as the
Global Islamic Movement.
The Rushdie affair and the coming of age of a new generation was the
impetus behind the next phase. This paper will show how both factions, first the
Jamaat-e-Islami inspired groups and then the Ahl-e-Hadith, began to turn
inwards, looking at their role and duty to Britain. Gradually the idea of
contributing to British life, defining themselves as British Muslims and, more
recently, British Islam emerged. The extent to which both factions have turned
inwards and contextualised Islam has produced a new spectrum ranging from
cosmetic changes and/or a greater focus on social responsibility to foundational
hermeneutical changes of core Islamic principles. This new spectrum, I argue, is
weakening older sectarian divisions rooted in South Asia and carving out new
lines.