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Answer
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Name
Moez
- Norway
Profession
IT
Question
Assalamo alaikum sister!
Is there any serious dialogue within the Muslim community in London for making plans and taking concrete action to face the situation after the bombings in London?
Ws
Moez
Answer
Firstly, I want to say that serious dialogue is not new. Efforts at individual and organizational levels, locally and nationally, have been taking place for years.
Of course after the London Bombing the desire to increase one's efforts is strengthened. Also people's desire to listen also increases.
So what we have is a national series of dialogues taking places organized by the Government (Home Office), other ones organized by the Muslim Council of Britain and also more local dialogues.
There is an intense spotlight on the Muslim community and this is not very healthy, but talk is the only way through.
Name
aiman
- India
Profession
student
Question
Salaam alaykum sister,
What is the best way for Muslims in Britain (and in places where they are a minority) to integrate into the country without compromising on Islam? Also, what is the responsibility of the country? Does one call oneself a British first or a Muslim or both together? With prayers for your success !
Answer
Assalamu alaikum
I truly believe it is not a question of what you are first and then second etc. There are not grades of identity. Every individual is a multiplicity of identities which they live with on a daily basis and simultaneously.
For me, my first identity is as a human being. I am human before I am anything.
I have lived that humanity as a non-Muslim and I live that humanity now as a Muslim, which of course shapes my sense of being human - a belief in the transcendent nature of the soul etc.
Beyond just my humanity - I am a woman, an Editor, a mother, a Muslim, a former Christian, a speaker, English etc etc. I am all these things and more at the same time.
People do not ask me: are you English first or a mother first? The question would make no sense.
In the same way, the question: are you British first or Muslim first is a non-question. I am both at the same time.
God chose that I should be born into this land for a reason, and I do not question His Divine plan in making be English.
We all have a responsibility - wherever we live - to build our communities and contribute to their stability and success.
I think of the prophet Yusuf. God placed him in the land of Egypt. He was cast into prison and became a thing forgotten. But when God they made him a thing remembered he then built Egypt and in fact saved Egypt from starvation. In turn he was able to save his whole family.
So when I think of integration etc. I don't struggle with it. I just accept the fact that God placed me in England and I must be the most beneficial I can be to the society that He chose to place me in.
Name
Hajj Baliullah ibn Saeed
- Jordan
Profession
Pest Fumigations
Question
Dear Madam, There can be no coexistence between our culture and that of America. Can you not recognize this truth when it hits you right between your eyes? Are you to be struck dumb to not see this truth? Our ummah requires that all who reside amongst the nonbelievers return to the lands of curd and whey.
Answer
Assalamu alaikum
The whole Earth is God's. I live where He placed me, and try and live a life of Service.
If people became more concerned with servicing the God's Earth and were less concerned with creating divisions within God's creation the world might be a happier, more peaceful place.
Unless it becomes impossible to live in Britain (and I pray it will not) then this is my home because God chose to make it so.
Finally - Islam is not a culture. It does not belong to the Arabs, or to the Asians, or to Africa, or any country. Islam is a way of being, a set of values, and a sense of self. One's geography does not make it possible or impossible to surrender one's Mind and Soul to Him.
Name
imran
- Pakistan
Profession
university lecturer
Question
Well, putting the house in order, needs unity in thoughts and common goals which, unfortunately, don't exist among Muslims in general and among the British Muslims in particular who follow different interpretations and brands of Islam denouncing each other's faith and declaring every other sect out of the fold of Islam. So, given the situation, how is that possible to move forward in the desired direction and to put the things on the right track?
Answer
I think it is easy to dwell on how we all differ, and we need to focus more on what we have in common.
Disunity is not something unique to Britain, but something across the world.
That said we are never all going to agree on everything. I think that what is important is realizing that our variations are actually a blessing not weakness.
I think what we need to work on is RESPECT for difference, not trying to create a homogenous blob of conformity.
If we imagine that Islam is the color green: then you have dark green, light green, olive green, emerald green, green which is almost yellow, and green which is almost blue. In a garden you might have all these greens and they form a beautiful image.
So we have to embrace our differences, whilst recognizing we also have a commonality.
The problem is as you raised in the question when we start denouncing each other. This is not unique to the UK nor to Muslims, it's a human weakness that began with Iblis - when he said to God, upon God's request that he bow to Adam: "I am better than he".
Name
Adam
-
Profession
Question
The British Muslims community has been asked not only to condemn London Bombings but to do some kind of a crucial self criticism and to put their house in order, to which extent do you agree?
Answer
I think it was very painful for Muslim in the UK to realize that it was British born Muslims who did this.
It would have been bad for if it had been non-UK people as in New York and Madrid. But as they were British Born it raised a lot of questions.
These young men were non poor, uneducated, oppressed. They had families and children and jobs. So why and how are obvious questions.
We of course need to look at issues. We all want to make sure it never happens again. Now of course - as a community we have no specific knowledge about individuals and plots. But if we can help in any way discover the causes of this anger and spiritual impoverishment that led to such actions then we have to help - and that might involve self criticism.
Name
abu marwan
- Malaysia
Profession
consultant
Question
Dear Sarah,
I am a former student studying in Birmingham. I did observe your continuous active participation in Islamic activities especially on campus during those days. My short question to you, why should some Muslim organizations and leaders became so apologetic after the bombing events in London? I myself have experience the continuous hypocrisy and double standard of the West including Britain in dealings with Muslims issues. Tragic events in Bosnia, Palestine, Chechenya and also Kashmir have seen hundreds of thousands of Muslims being slaughtered and massacred in front of 'the so-called civilization'. Why should Muslims be so apologetic is such cases?
Answer
Assalamu alaikum
I don't think being apologetic is the answer at all. It is right for us to point out the terrible human rights abuses all over the world.
Being vocal about Iraq, Palestine etc is not an illustration that we are "not loyal" nor is it an illustration that "we do not belong" or "cannot belong". In fact I think pointing out the folly of one's government is part and parcel of being a conscientious citizen.
I think Muslims however must also look at other international issues as well, not just "Muslim" ones. We need to be speaking out about Tibet (where people are publically murdered for supporting the Dalai Lama). We need to speak out about Burma, and Congo etc etc.
These are "Muslim" issues because they are issues about JUSTICE - and Muslims must be concerned with JUSTICE first and foremost - "be just for justice is the closest thing to God consciousness." (surah 5) "Be just even if it be against yourself" (Surah 4)
The question for a Muslim should never be "is it good for the Muslims?" The question for a Muslim must always be "is it right?"
Also, I feel we have to be concerned about the issues of the country we live in. So it is also my duty as a Muslim to speak out against the situation where old people are dying of cold in winter because the state does not given them enough to heat their homes. I must speak out against the education system when children are leaving school unable to read. I must speak out about the National Health Service when people are waiting in pain for operations. I must speak out against the sink estates where young men and women are growing up with no hope and no self respect.
All these things are Muslim issues too.
Name
Abu Musa
- United Kingdom
Profession
Consultant
Question
Asalamualykum Sister
Some could argue that organizations of which you belong to, namely ISB and MCB, represent only a small part of the Muslim community and as such they are 'out of touch' with the wider Muslim majority community, whom happen to be from poor Pakitani or Bangaldeshi communities.
So my question: What has ISB or MCB done to reach out to these inner city youth?
Answer
Assalamu alaikum
I do NOT actually "belong" formally to any organization. I just give help to any organization that asks.
I work with a whole host of different organizations and it is my honor if I am seen to "belong" to them all.
My experience of the two originations you mention, as well as a whole host of others, is generally positive.
They are all working with limited resources and trying to provide services that in "normal" life would be heavily funded.
I think it is easy to point the fingers at groups and say "out of touch" - but I don't think that is always accurate.
I was recently at a "high level" dialogue and it was very frank and open. The senior ministers then went to meet the "inner city youth". Their comment was that each meeting was a mirror of the other/what they had heard at "high levels" they heard at the "inner city". There was little (if any) disparity. This demonstrated to me that the meeting which many might have called "unrepresentative" or "out of touch" was in fact very much in touch with the youth.
Just because one is not from a poor Pakistani etc community does not mean that one cannot understand the needs of and then communicate the needs of that community.
I say all of this in the full knowledge that no one single organization is perfect, no one single organization has all the answers but I do see a lot of sincere and indeed successful work which we all need to support. There are many people who do little by way of support (either through action or money) who are very quick to point the finger. I was brought up to know that when you point a finger at someone, three fingers point at you. (Look at your hand and point and you will get what I mean!)
One final point the MCB is an umbrella organization. It represents the views of its 400+ affiliates. Those affiliates range from large national to small local organizations. It is those organizations that are doing the grass roots work and who then feed advice etc back to the MCB, which in turn communicates it on to government etc.
My position is always to help where I can and if we all did that it would make the whole process a LOT easier.
Name
Jawed
- Australia
Profession
Question
Do you not think that placing a certain part of society under the spot light, for something which the beliefs of that part of society condemn (suicide bombings), will further marginalize members of that society and cause more of such extreme actions to take place? By doing this does it not further the cause of the bombers, that; it is not the bombers they are targeting but the whole belief system, and thus aid further recruiting for the bombers?
Answer
Thanks for your questions
I think the spot light/microscope currently on the Muslim community is VERY VERY unhealthy.
There are daily questions on identity, belonging etc.
If you keep asking people are you this or that, are you British or Muslim? etc. It makes then ask: "is there a choice? Do I have to choose? Well if I have to choose then I am..."
We need to realize that the Muslim community has problems as does every sector of society.
The more we alienated youngsters, the more we make them a thing to be studied, a thing peculiar. The more chance we have of alienating them. And who knows where that desperate sense of alienation leads...
Name
ali
- Canada
Profession
Question
Would you briefly tell us how the Muslims can combat this radicalism in younger Muslims all over the world?
Answer
Salaams
If I had the answer to that I would be a very wise person indeed!
There is no quick fix answer which I can give you wrapped up in a box. There is no quick bill.
For me we have to realize that Islam is something of creative and generative power - not destruction.
Whilst we see and face destruction all around us in the world we have to make sure we do not succumb to that violence, but stand firm against it.
Our theology of liberation has to be one of righteousness, ethics and noble action. We cannot reduce ourselves to the force of violence.
We need to teach our youngsters that if we have the force of truth and justice then we do not need the force of violence to combat it.
The world is crying out for a different message from the cruise missiles and the daisy cutters. The world is crying out for different messages from the guns and tanks.
We need to provide that message if indeed we are a Middle Nation and we believe the message of Islam is a GIFT to the world.
It is about showing that Islam can make a positive contribution to the world we live in today. It is about creating and sustaining a civilization vision for the Ummah. It is about a change in our mentality out of victimhood and into one of moral strength.
It is about empowering our young to live for Islam not dying for it.
Name
Tarek
-
Profession
Question
Assalamo Alaikom
Would the selection of a Mufti for the UK help put the house of British Muslims in order?
Answer
Assalamu alaikum
I doubt it.
The issues are far far more complicated than one position can solve.
I do think issues of leadership are important. We need to capacity build our leadership and we need to help it by offering it support as well.
We also need to step forward and become the leaders of tomorrow.
Name
Soong Myung Kim-chee
- Korea (South)
Profession
Professional Bowler
Question
What do you mean by using the word HOUSE? Don't you mean HOME?
Answer
Putting one's house in order is an English idiomatic expression.
In other context I think it is very important to use the word "home".
Britain is my "home" therefore I will care for it, keep it tidy and clean, protect it and secure it.
The idea that the Muslims of the UK can "go back home" is nonsense. Britain is the only place that most of us have ever known. No one hosts us here, we are not guests. This gives a strong sense of responsibility.
Name
Suha
-
Profession
Question
Living in any society involves a constant negotiation of our different values and ideas, allegiances and loyalties, how can such understanding produce the so called "European Islam"?
Answer
I think we have to understand certain basic principles.
Islam is not a culture.
Islam does not belong to one country.
Islam does not belong to one time.
Islam is for all people, for all time because it is a dynamic, generative power with a moral and social ethos.
I am English by culture - which involves all the nuances of that culture: irony, a self deprecating sense of humor, a desire to carry an umbrella and a cardigan on a very sunny day (!), etc. etc.
I am a Muslim with all that that involves.
British culture is not something static and unchanging either. The Britain of 1909 when my grandmother was born is very different to the one she lives in today in 2005. She has lived through two world wars, seen electricity, cars, air flight, computers, the National Health Service, the Welfare System free education for all etc etc all in her lifetime. Adjustments in terms of culture and understanding where all necessary through these changes.
SO cultures change. Islam however remains can still provide a framework because it speaks to the soul of individuals.
Now I don't believe Islam is for all time and for people because it remains calcified in the 7th century. It is for all times and for all people because it is a living reality for people. It gives life by providing justice and a belief in the Reality of the Creator.
A British Islam, an European Islam they are no different to an Arab expression of Islam or an Asian one. If you think of the fact that within 60 years of Hijra there were Pakoda style mosques in China,the Muslims who went to live in China didn't think: "oh let's import palm leaves from Makkah for the Mosque!" They say they architecture and way of the people and adapted that to create a space for prayer and community.
Name
Snerdley W.
- Canada
Profession
Geothermal Lecturer
Question
Thank you for taking my questions. To what do you attribute the proclivity of British Muslims to foolishly attempt to blow up airplanes and trains using shoes and backpacks loaded with explosive devices? Don't they sound like they're a gaggle of circus clowns and freaks?
Answer
Proclivity: A natural propensity or inclination; predisposition.
I do not believe British Muslims (or any Muslims for that matter) have a natural inclination to blow up airplanes etc.
There are individuals (and states) who seem to believe that violence is the answer to the world's problems.
It is up to sane individuals throughout the world to stand up against the mentality which believes that justice can be obtained from a backpack filled with explosives or a bomb dropped from 12,000 foot.
Justice and righteousness cannot be obtained via either.
It is now the duty of each and every citizen of planet Earth to say "enough is enough".
Name
ahmed
- Pakistan
Profession
medicine
Question
Assalamoalaikum, what is the future of a Muslim or Islam in UK or Europe after these developments on 9/11 or 7/7?
Answer
The future is what we make it.
At the end of the day God will not change the situation of a people until they change what is in their hearts.
All over the world we have to commit to building a civilsation of ethics and justice. That has to be the future of our vision and committment.
Name
Anwar
-
Profession
Engineer
Question
Salaam
At this moment what priorities should Muslims have in the west?
Answer
We need to have a strong vision of a civilisational future.
We need to capacity build leadership.
We need to dialogue with anyone and everyone.
We need to have faith that all power belongs to God.
We need to have faith that after hardship comes ease.
Name
Rodney Dangerfield
- United States
Profession
Noted Lyricist
Question
Can we all agree that Muslims get no respect? Why is this? Is there a reason? Or is it imponderable?
Answer
I think that the idea that "Muslims get no respect" is far too much of a generalization. It could also give rise to a negative victim mentality.
I personally experience people respecting a message of good conduct. There is a lot of interest (positive) in Islam where people respect our values and way of live even if they do not embrace Islam.
I also believe that the most important thing is self-respect. We have to have a strong sense of Self worth, and that we can contribute.
Name
abu nawal
- Qatar
Profession
insurance
Question
Who is the guilty in the UK bombing? UK military is the biggest intelligence in the world why they are not could declare the exact guilty, which involved this explosion. They are hunting innocent people Are you believe this is modern law of UK.
Answer
I think we have to accept the reality that on the 7th July four young men took their own lives and the lives of 50+ others.
The names of those four have been released and the circumstances are being investigated.
As far as the many arrests - in the process of the investigations we have to expect people that some people who are not guilty of any offences to be arrested. We expect them to be treated with respect under the full Rule of Law, subject to due process and to be released if not guilty. We also expect people to be treated and presumed innocent until proven guilty - as per the Rule of Law.
If you are hinting at conspiracy theories - I do not believe this to be helpful to our present situation, either in the UK or internationally.
Name
Sarah
- Egypt
Profession
Question
How can the Muslims fulfill the security governmental demands and keep their own independent stances currently and in the future?
Answer
If we know of any activity which may endanger life we are oblige to inform the authorities of those actions. Ties of kinship or of faith do not act as a barrier to saving the lives of humanity. (It has to be also said at this point that the Muslim community in the UK is not particularly placed to know of people plotting to endanger life. Just because the 7/7 bomber were Muslims does not mean the Muslim community knew of it. In fact their own families did not know of it).
A principled position to report plots of violence to the authorities does not prevent us counseling the government that their current foreign policy is not conducive to creating a harmonious and peaceful world.
Nor does it stop us declaring that many knee jerk anti-terrorism measures will not be helpful in combatting terrorism or the causes of terrorism.
Name
Ooona
- Cyprus
Profession
Microbiological Brain Surgeon
Question
Hello, Sarah! It has been years since we last talked and I hadn't missed it until Farshid saw your name on IOL. I'm in Larnaca now and it's gorgeous here, what with all ths glorious sun and beaches. Drop me a line. I'm on the internet.
Answer
Please feel free to contact me (and anyone else) through the magazine.
www.emelmagazine.com
Thank you all for your questions.
Anything I have said of any righteousness is from My Lord, all the mistakes are mine.
