A Long Jihad

In this memoir, Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari asks us to look beyond the extremism and violence that all too often defines the Muslim community toward those, like himself, navigating a middle-way life. A path defined in Islam as the 'natural way', far away from the cliff of radicalisation that causes some to harm themselves and others.

Through his personal journey as an Air Force officer in Bangladesh to the leader of the Muslim Council of Britain during the ill-advised War of Terror and beyond, Muhammad's reassuring reflections come to light: the importance of community engagement, civic responsibility, and what it means to live a good life.

In articulating his positions Muhammad Abdul Bari offers Muslims, and everybody else, guidance on going forward as engaged, confident individuals, down a path that rejects radical views and seeks to stay in the centre, living a life of moderation that is, as the Qur'an says, 'justly balanced'.

“"This book offers an interesting reflection of British Muslim engagement at the highest levels of public life and should be read widely by policymakers, media professionals, community work practitioners and activists within Muslim communities and beyond." -- Dr Sadek Hamid, Author of Sufis, Salafis and Islamists: The Contested Ground of British Islamic Activism "[Muhammad Abdul Bari] is not afraid to challenge the eldersor the angry voices of young people. His words and advice in this book willbe an uncomfortable challenge for all who wish to stay in their comfort zonesand blame others for their plight.'" -- Neil Jameson CBE,Executive Director of Citizens UK "The subject of Muslim engagement in Britain is a fraught one. In this bookwe hear first hand one man's journey and hopes for the future." -- - Shelina Janmohamed, author of Generation M: Young Muslims Changing the World "This bookis a deeply moving personal story about how one British Muslim has dealtwith courage and patience with very complex and sensitive issues for overthree decades." -- Peter Oborne, Columnist for the Daily Mail and Middle East Eye "Dr Bari's efforts to cultivaterelationships within and beyond the Muslim community to contributetowards a better understanding and foster positive relations is a great exampleof how Muslims can play a positive role in society." -- Shaykh Akram Nadwi, Islamic scholar,Dean of Cambridge College and author of The Women Scholars in Islam "In this memoir, Muhammad Abdul Bari provides a unique perspective onthe evolution of the Muslim community in the UK, through his role as acommunity activist." -- Shaykh Akram Nadwi, Islamic scholar,Dean of Cambridge College and author of The Women Scholars in Islam”

“This book offers an interesting reflection of British Muslim engagement at the highest levels of public life and should be read widely by policymakers, media professionals, community work practitioners and activists within Muslim communities and beyond.” — Dr Sadek Hamid, Author of Sufis, Salafis and Islamists: The Contested Ground of British Islamic Activism

"[Muhammad Abdul Bari] is not afraid to challenge the eldersor the angry voices of young people. His words and advice in this book willbe an uncomfortable challenge for all who wish to stay in their comfort zonesand blame others for their plight.’" — Neil Jameson CBE,Executive Director of Citizens UK

"The subject of Muslim engagement in Britain is a fraught one. In this bookwe hear first hand one man’s journey and hopes for the future." — – Shelina Janmohamed, author ofGeneration M: Young Muslims Changing the World

"This bookis a deeply moving personal story about how one British Muslim has dealtwith courage and patience with very complex and sensitive issues for overthree decades." — Peter Oborne, Columnist for the Daily Mail and Middle East Eye

"Dr Bari’s efforts to cultivaterelationships within and beyond the Muslim community to contributetowards a better understanding and foster positive relations is a great exampleof how Muslims can play a positive role in society." — Shaykh Akram Nadwi, Islamic scholar,Dean of Cambridge College and author of The Women Scholars in Islam

"In this memoir, Muhammad Abdul Bari provides a unique perspective onthe evolution of the Muslim community in the UK, through his role as acommunity activist." — Shaykh Akram Nadwi, Islamic scholar,Dean of Cambridge College and author of The Women Scholars in Islam

Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari is an educationalist, community activist, author, parenting consultant and commentator on social and political issues. Dr Bari has written for various newspapers, blogs and journals including The Huffington Post and Al-Jazeera English, and is the author of a number of books on marriage, family, parenting, identity and community issues from contemporary British Muslim perspectives.

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