Roots of British Islamic Fundamentalism

Propsect magazine has what I believe is the best piece yet on the rise of radical fundamentalism amongst young muslims and Hizb ut-Tahrir [a more radical group than even al-Muhajiroun] in Britain.  The problem partly stems from Pakistan's youthful sense of nationhood, it's illformed sense of national identity which leaves second and third generation British Pakistani Muslims with a space which radical Islam can fill:

Three times removed from a durable sense of identity, the energised extra-national worldview of radical Islam became one available identity for second-generation Pakistanis. The few who took it did so with the convert's zeal: plus Arabe que les Arabes.

Through interviews with young radicals in Manchester the author finds that the 'covenant of security' which forbids other radical muslims in al-Muhajiroun from attacking their host country does not apply to Hizb ut-Tahir, for whom British citizens are fair game.  It's the view of a small minority and despite their potential for terrorism it's quite reassuring how they are viewed as barnpots within their own communities as lazy often un-Islamic boys who have lost their way.  Worth a read.