Mega-Malls and the Consumerist Ummah

The new Westfield mega mall recently opened in East London, amid much media hype and celebrity endorsement. A shiny futuristic maze of shops and boutiques, complete with restaurants and even hotels; all designed so that the visitor can immerse themselves within the cosy consumer bubble that is Westfield. What is clear to anyone observing the mall, is the number of Muslims constantly entering and exiting, shopping bags in hand. In fact, for a large percentage of East London’s young Muslim population this is the prime location, not only for shopping, but for leisure and relaxation. It even has a prayer…