Does Muslim Voice Make a Difference? the Impact of Organized Muslims and Consultative Structures upon Public Policy in Britain

Like in other European states a number of more or less institutionalized channels exist that should enable organized Muslims to have a say in public policy. Whereas most of the literature has focused on the establishment of this type of infrastructure (e.g. Laurence 2012), this paper focusses on the specific roles “representative platforms” have played in policy interactions in Britain, and how contestation developed around the appropriate forms of engaging with organized Muslims. It focusses in particular on more contested dossiers, including the so-called Religious Hatred Act, anti-radicalization programs, and attempts to regulate sharia arbitration courts.