Islamic Popular Culture and the Fashioning of Moderate Muslim Men and Women in Post-7/7 UK

My current research project is an investigation into the nascent Islamic cultural scene thriving in contemporary Britain's urban contexts with a particular focus on performing arts, including music, theatre, spoken poetry and stand-up comedy. The stylistic styles the scene takes are not merely defined by aesthetic concerns. They are conditioned as much by the moral pedagogical impetus of the Islamic revival movement as by post-9/11, post-7/7 "social cohesion" and "preventing extremism" discourses and policies adopted by the British state that seek to cultivate Muslim citizens, committed to non-violence and moderation. In this presentation, I will notably look at the specific gendered dynamics of this project as it defines as key targets Muslim women - inclined to moderation but in need for empowerment - and male youth - inclined to violence and specifically at risk of radicalization.