William Barylo – författare

More than twenty years after 9/11, what has changed for Muslims in the West? From the occupation of lands, the world has entered a new era: the occupation of minds. State strategies have evolved to offer a dangerous gamble to people from post-colonial diasporas: remain at the margins or silently blend-in for the sake of an illusory liberation. From power-hungry Muslim politicians in elite private clubs to politically apathetic social media influencers, multi-million-pound neo-colonial 'humanitarian' charities, Muslim far-right sympathisers, and Muslim white supremacists, this new form of colonialism - Metacolonialism - has effectively turned the oppressed into the new oppressors. Under the promise of financial stability and representation, it has effectively put God for sale at the cost of people's culture, ethics, identity, and faith. However, in the wake of the new Roaring Twenties marked by social justice movements, Muslims in Britain have crafted creative responses inspired by their faith in order to resist, heal and flourish despite minimal resources and support. Informal and independent from institutions, they have established pioneering alternatives in the fields of mental health, community organizing, the protection of the environment, heritage, the arts, and more. Since leadership divides, they have undertaken a duty of stewardship: considering the world and humanity as one ecosystem that one needs to care for future generations. This work is both a diagnosis and a toolbook looking at the initiatives that reshape public debates and offer working ideas for building a fair and just society.

The Muslim charity sector is stronger than ever, attracting thousands of volunteers and millions of pounds in donations. In times of mobile internet and social media, young people have set up small scale charities in urban areas, providing general social services to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Breaking away from bureaucratic non-governmental organisations and traditional faith-based charities, these smaller local associations are an attractive alternative to young people.This book offers an exploration of the Muslim charity sector, from multi-million pound NGOs to discrete grassroots charities who are quietly giving rise to the next generation of Muslim entrepreneurs, scholars, politicians and other influencers. From studies of eleven charities across France, Poland and the UK, it investigates key questions around this young and dynamic movement. What motivates these young Muslim volunteers? What shapes the socially-engaged behaviour of young Muslims? What is the place and the role of Islam in their involvement and commitment to their causes? What social impact do these organisations have in their local area? How do they understand religion, faith, participation and citizenship? What challenges do they face and how do they overcome these? The book also examines how these grassroots are successful in helping to prevent extremism, curb Islamophobia and challenge colonialism.The analysis of these small, local and original initiatives is fundamental in understanding the role of religiosity for these younger generations who are trying to articulate their multiple identities, cultures and traditions in a modern, secular society. Rich, detailed and vivid, the book sheds new lights on a popular field of research, unveiling exclusive key information on the subject of young European Muslims.