Tahir Abbas is an acclaimed professor who specialises in the study of radicalisation, Islamophobia, and minority-majority relations. He holds positions at Leiden University in the Netherlands and the University of Exeter in the UK. Currently, he is leading two significant European Commission-funded projects. The first, Drive, investigates the role of social exclusion in fostering extremism and polarisation among Muslim minorities and ethnic majorities in northwestern Europe. The second, Protone, focuses on safeguarding Abrahamic religious sites of worship in Europe.
Abbas’ research has made significant contributions to understanding the experiences and challenges faced by Muslim communities in Britain and the West. His work lies at the intersection of sociology, ethnicity, religion, and politics, with a particular focus on South Asian Muslim minorities. Abbas’ publications span a range of formats, including monographs, edited volumes, journal articles, and commentary pieces, reflecting his commitment to both academic rigour and public engagement.
Throughout his career, Abbas has consistently explored themes of multiculturalism, integration, identity, and the socio-economic dynamics of Muslim communities. His early work in the 2000s examined issues such as the educational experiences of South Asian Muslims, the impact of 9/11 on British Muslim communities, and the interplay of ethnicity, religion, and entrepreneurship. Books like Muslim Britain: Communities Under Pressure (2005) and Islamic Radicalism and Multicultural Politics: The British Experience (2007) established Abbas as an authoritative voice on the complexities of Muslim minority experiences in the West.
Over time, Abbas’ research has increasingly focused on the security dimensions surrounding Muslim communities, reflecting the shifting political landscape in the wake of events like the 7/7 London bombings. He has critically examined the development and implementation of counter-terrorism policies such as Prevent, highlighting their impact on issues of integration, citizenship, and the surveillance of Muslim communities. Works like Islamophobia and Radicalisation: A Vicious Cycle (2019) and Countering Violent Extremism: The International Deradicalization Agenda (2021) demonstrate Abbas’ engagement with the factors driving radicalisation and the effectiveness of counter-extremism strategies.
Abbas’s ability to situate Muslim minority experiences within larger sociological frameworks and policy discussions constitutes one of his academic strengths. He tackles concepts such as securitization, Islamophobia, and the portrayal of Muslims in media and political discourse. His latest scholarship examines these challenges and the ways in which the securitisation of Muslim communities has influenced the realities of citizenship, identity, and belonging.
Among the prestigious academic journals in which Abbas frequently publishes are Ethnic and Racial Studies, the Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, Critical Studies on Terrorism, and the British Journal of Sociology of Education. Prestigious academic presses such as Routledge, Bloomsbury, Edinburgh University Press, and Hurst Books have published his monographs and edited volumes, maintaining his reputation as a prominent academic in his field. Abbas demonstrates his dedication to disseminating his research to a wider audience by actively participating in public discussions through opinion pieces published in publications such as The Guardian and openDemocracy.
Professor Tahir Abbas’ work offers a nuanced and critical perspective on the challenges faced by Muslim minorities in Britain and the West. His research has traced the evolving experiences of these communities, from issues of integration and identity to the impact of counter-terrorism policies and the rise of Islamophobia. By situating these experiences within broader sociological and policy contexts, Abbas has made significant contributions to both academic and public debates on multiculturalism, securitisation, and the place of Islam in Western societies. His scholarship continues to shape our understanding of these complex issues and offers important insights for policymakers and practitioners working in these fields.
Professorial Profile [24-04-2024]
Tahir Abbas full CV [15-09-2023]
