The 21st Century New Muslim Generation: Converts in Britain and Germany

The topic of conversion to Islam, particularly within Western non-Muslim societies is a growing research phenomenon. At the same time, there has only been little contribution to the literature that deals with comparative analyses of Muslim converts in different countries. This dissertation concentrates on the acute challenges and personal understandings of British and German Muslim converts regarding cultural, religious, and moral changes, changes in belief and adoption of religious practices as well as social relations. Dissatisfaction with the former faith or given social norms, the appeal of the Muslim tenets, the search for identity and the desire to have a sense of belonging included the participants’ motivation for conversion. The primary focus is placed on the changing behavioural norms in the individual process of religious conversion concerning family and mixed-gender relations and the converts’ attitudes towards particularly often sensitive and controversial topics. Taking the former into consideration enabled the result of providing a personal, lively yet rational insight into the lives of British and German Muslim converts.

Dr. Caroline Neumüller obtained her doctorate in Arab and Islamic Studies from the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter, as well as a LLM International Law from the University of the West of England. Her main commitment includes the teaching and understanding of Islam through contemporary understanding and practice.