Making a Stand on Hyde Park Corner

What Is Going On in the Muslim Community in the UK?

It's easier to be Muslim in a Muslim country because here there is too much talk in the media about terrorists.

I had been speaking to Muslims who work with the Muslim community, including the youth. They all had one belief in common, namely, "We just have to find a way to get along." This notion seemed to apply more to Muslims and non-Muslims than the deep-seated divisions that are isolating Islamic sects.

A woman in south London organizes a group of Muslim girls, and complains that her own son has "gone off the rails." She explained, "The men don't organize practical activities for the boys like the women do for the girls. They are too busy talking about who is and who isn't inside the fold of Islam."

I spoke to her son asking what he thought about young Muslims in the UK. "My parents taught me about Islam but there comes a time when young people decide whether or not they'll put it all into practice."

He added, "There isn't a lot the Muslim community can do; at the end of the day it's up to the youth to decide how they'll live their lives. These days children are more independent. I think it's easier to be Muslim in a Muslim country because here there is too much talk in the media about terrorists, and some people do think violence is the answer and that we have to stand up and get them before they get us. I really don't know what to make of it all."

His confusion is shared by many others. A twenty-two-year-old convert to Islam commented that when he embraced Islam at the age of nineteen, people welcomed him at first but before long he realized that cultural groups want to stick together, and being young, black and Muslim he was a minority three times over.

He said that one masjid would tell him not to go to a certain other masjid because they are "off the path," while the other masjid would do the same. He and others like him have been forced to create what is now being called "Muslim gangs" answering the need for a sense of solidarity; something that most masjids just pay lip service to.

He commented that when he and his friends were moving down the street, going to the masjid to pray they felt empowered in a way they never felt when they were engaging in criminal activity. He added that people were afraid of them, but then he smiled and said, "There is no need to be afraid. We don't want to hurt anyone; we just want to be part of it all."

Off to Hyde Park Corner

With all this in mind I headed off to Hyde Park Corner with my friend, who ironically had accepted Islam at this very same place, fifteen years ago. As we strolled between the people everyone was both pleasant and friendly, or just ignored us. I had been reading about ongoing tensions in the newspapers and hearing stories of Islamophobia from people, so the scene was surreal and I wondered what people were thinking. I was soon to find out.

Approaching the Corner I saw groups of people congregating around different speakers. Some were speaking quietly, meaningfully while others were shouting, blaming and targeting individuals with their claims.

One man pointed at me threateningly, the only Muslim in the crowd, declaring, "Your heart is unclean my sister. Turn to Jesus!" I responded, "Only God knows my heart, and yours!" I walked away. Then I noticed a tall man with a long beard, wearing a kufi (English for: scarf) and gallabiya (a loose cloak or robe worn by either men or women)  and I realized he was the only Muslim speaking on behalf of Islam. He spoke gently about the marvels of creation and the Day of Judgment. Many people listened to him, and there were no jeers or rude remarks.

I felt the urge to talk, to do something. I hadn't brought a box to stand on and not being especially tall, I stood as straight as I could and said loudly, "I want to talk about Islam in the UK! What do Muslims have to do to get along better with you all? What do you think we should do?" I wasn’t sure what the response would be, but I was anxious to find out.

People started to gather around. I repeated my question and looked at individuals hoping for some interaction. One older lady said, "Is there a problem with the Muslims? I didn't know that. I have lots of Muslim friends." "That's great!" I replied with a smile. A number of people nodded in approval.

Confrontation

Then a gruff looking older man approached with a few of his people around him. He said loudly with an air of arrogance, "I'll tell you what you can do to live harmoniously in this society! For starters get rid of that!" He took hold of my hijab. It was clear he wanted to intimidate me. Then he started talking about the Prophet. I had told myself I would remain calm no matter what, and that I would not be dragged into religious debate. Here was my first challenge.

I looked him straight in the eye, brushed his hand away and said out loud, "Do you see what he just did? Here I am calling for peace and harmony! Trying to look for ideas on how to build bridges and he is being aggressive with me!" Most of the people looked at this man up and down, saying "tut, tut" and nodded their heads in disapproval.

Then I noticed a circle of men gathering. They were all standing with their arms folded, looking calmly at me. They didn't react regardless of the comments people made but when I caught their eye they said quietly, "`as-salamu `alaykum sister."

I ignored the rude, gruff man and continued. A middle-aged woman approached and said, "The problem is what you people believe." I answered, "But I'm not talking about doctrine and philosophy. I'm talking about live and let live. What we believe is not affecting your way of life. You walk down the street and so do we. Everyone is different but if we can respect each other we can get on with our lives.”

A number of people were holding their Bibles in their hands and shooting questions about Muslim creed but I refused to engage in their debate. "I'm looking for accept and respect. Is that so hard?" The crowd increased and listened to the missionaries shouting out their complaints about Islam and what Muslims believe and I continued saying, "Hasn't anyone got any answers to my questions? It seems that here today the Muslims are looking for peace and answers and no one else is stepping up!"

I soon realized how potentially volatile that situation was. The brothers stayed where they were, quiet and calm, till the crowd dispersed. They were from a variety of ethnic backgrounds; some with beards, some not. They were there for support. If they had been looking for a fight or an argument, there was anyone of twenty comments that could have provoked them. Later I saw them mingling with the dispersing crowd, talking calmly, gently and peacefully.

Talking to Muslim Youth

I wandered around again and noticed two Muslim youth listening to a speaker. They looked about eighteen years old and were wearing kufis, jeans, expensive-looking trendy training shoes and gallabiya. I introduced myself and they were immediately responsive. I asked them what it is like being young and Muslim in the UK.

"It's all right but sometimes the media produces programs that puts a lot of pressure on Muslims and makes non-Muslims scared of Islam."

"Do you think some Muslims are being bad examples and that might be a reason why people think that way about Islam?"

"Yeah, there are some Muslims who believe it’s all right to be violent but they aren’t real Muslims, I mean you shouldn’t judge a religion by its followers, but by its teachings."

"So you're saying if Muslims follow Quran and Sunnah they’ll have mercy for mankind?"

They both agreed.

"Is the Muslim community doing enough for the youth?"

"Some are trying but it’s hard to find brothers who can relate to the youth. They lecture a lot but there is no sense of brotherhood like there was in the time of the Prophet."

"What kind of problems do you face?"

"We have no family. We're reverts and there is a lot of temptation like clubs and girls and most imams don't know what it's like to be a teenager today. There needs to be more sports and places for young Muslims to hang out."

"So you need older people to interact with you?"

"Yeah, not just telling us what's halal and haram."

"So how do you cope?"

"Allah always helps us." They both nodded. Their faces were kind and sincere. I wondered what people thought when they saw them walking down the street.

What Many Imams Think

Then we were interrupted by the same Muslim who had been speaking publicly before. He interrupted the young men and immediately launched into a lecture of how the Muslim community is disunited because it isn't determining the correct interpretation and understanding of Islam.

He mentioned adherence to the Quran and Sunnah according to the first two generations after the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He said that if we do this we will eradicate inconsistencies that lead to confusion amongst the youth.

I asked him if he believed it was possible for Muslims and non-Muslims to live in harmony in the UK, and he replied that first we have to put our own house in order by going back and educate Muslims purifying them from all aspects of distortion that leads to extremism and then they can go out into the world and interact.

I asked him how long he thought that would take and what were the Muslims supposed to do in the meantime. He didn't answer.

When asked what older Muslims can do to look after the young Muslims, he said that they have to be educated Islamically and get rid of cultural or racist baggage and hopefully be the wise head that will guide the youth's fire.

Then I asked him about the importance of love and mercy and the role of the masjid as being one with brotherhood. He answered that love and mercy needs to be expressed in a balanced way and maybe because of ignorance, some Muslims tend to go overboard in its application and so miss the opportunity to rectify bad behavior.

He said it is dangerous to follow the maxim "let us come together on what we agree" because the previous generations were ardent in rectifying their mistakes and didn't fail to do that for the sake of unity as what is happening today.

Finally, I asked the young guys if they agreed with the imam. They smiled but said nothing.

Selma Cookis a published author, poet and freelance journalist. She can be contacted at: selmcook@hotmail.com