Living ‘True’ Islam in Multicultural Britain: An Ahmadi Case Study

Abstract

This chapter explores questions of trust, multiculturalism and Islam in relation to Ahmadi Muslims in Britain. While multiculturalism has many flaws, as policy it allows Ahmadis to identify themselves as part of the British Muslim diaspora, even though they are often rejected by mainstream Muslims. With reference to my case studies and fieldwork observations of the transnational Ahmadi Muslim communities in London and Leicester, I explore some of the multicultural strategies I believe Ahmadis are employing to build trust. Notably, these include a vocal commitment to ‘true Islam’ (playing into Good Muslim/Bad Muslim polemics), engaging in political quietism, and presenting themselves as anti-extremist moderates in order to foster cross-cultural trust and protect themselves as a persecuted community.