The murder in Woolwich has shocked everyone;
no one was prepared for such a killing on the streets of the UK. The
response has been of disgust and condemnation. This incident has raised
some questions that politicians and the mainstream media have conveniently
dodged. I am disgusted and appalled by what has taken place, but why
should I have to apologise for such a crime, it had nothing to do with me.
Why it is that Muslims and Muslim
organisations are expected to distance themselves from the actions of two
individuals? Why is it that Muslim organisations do not even need to
be prompted to condemn; they are readily condemning actions that have nothing
to do with them. There has been no attempt by Muslim organisations
to discuss the causes of the attack, no attempt to question the mainstream
media narrative that imposes labels on Muslims.
Radicalisation is not a religious
problem, it is a problem of society, and specifically, in this case, British
society.
Muslim leaders have been scared into
silence. They are told that if Muslims display any political
opinions outside the mainstream then they are extremists, that if they do not
inform on them, that their bank accounts can be frozen, mosques closed and they
could face prison. Muslims are afraid. Muslim
organisations and leaders are subservient to the state, scared to mention
foreign policy as a radicalising factor just in case they are harangued for
justifying the murder. It has got to such a state that we do not
even realise that our minds have been conditioned through years of media
misrepresentation and widespread Islamophobia. Questioning the
reason for a murder does not mean condoning or justifying it. Apologising
for something that has nothing to do with you feeds into the narrative that
this is a Muslim problem; this is something that the Muslim community are
responsible for, at least in part.
In turn so-called Muslim leaders stifled
debate and discussion in mosques, too afraid to discuss anything
political. For too long they have played a subservient role to the
state, asking for a seat at the table and hoping for crumbs to be passed to
them. I have not met a Muslim that has condoned the actions in
Woolwich, but let’s not ignore what radicalises. British foreign
policy radicalises, double standards radicalise, making Muslim youngsters feel
like their opinions are not legitimate radicalises, stifling debate and
discussion radicalises, not giving people a conduit to vent their opinions and
frustrations radicalises, a lack of identity in Britain radicalises, we are
either extremists or moderates.
We are told that Muslims are equal
citizens in this country but the reality is something very different. If
we say we don’t drink, we are labelled anti-social or not willing to integrate,
if we drink we are labelled moderate, if a Muslim wears a hijab, she is
oppressed, if she doesn’t she is liberated, if we express an opinion outside of
the mainstream narrative, we are angry, if we join a mainstream political party
we are passionate, if we sing the praises of the British establishment we are
liberals, if we object to foreign policy we are extremists or Islamists. I
for one am fed up of this apologetic and subservient tone. I have
nothing to apologise for, I should not be asked to apologise for the actions of
two men that had nothing to do with me just as a white man should not be asked
to condemn the murders committed by Anders Brevik or for the violent actions of
the English Defence League.
Have Muslims not proved their worth to
this country? Muslims have bled for this country during WWI and
WWII, they have fought for Empire, they have served as colonial subjects, they
have waved the flags, sang the anthems and anglicised their names –Mo and
Ed. But still we are not accepted; we still hear ‘Muslim appearance’
in the mainstream media, which basically means non-white, not one of us.
Why is it that Joe Glenton can say that foreign policy is a radicalising factor but our so-called Muslim leaders tiptoe
around the issue? Why is it that George Eaton can say that Muslims should not have to distance themselves from the attacks, but our so-called
leaders are falling over themselves to do it? Why is it that Glenn
Greenwald can question whether the attack is terrorism, but my fellow
brothers and sisters are afraid to do the same?
I am British, I am standing in the
tradition that says that my opinion is just as valid as anyone else’s, that I
have a right to object to the hypocritical treatment vented out to Muslims
without being accused of condoning or justifying such attacks. There
are Muslims that will disagree with me, that is fine, we must understand that
we are not a homogenous group, Anjum Choudry and his motley crew do not
represent me. Neither do the Muslim Council of Britain with their 400
affiliated mosques run by old men in committees. Unfortunately
non-Muslims in the public sphere represent my views more than our so-called
Muslim leaders.
To be ‘leaders’, senior Muslim figures
must lead. Whilst politicians and the media carry on scapegoating
Muslims, a true community leadership must face up to the reality of foreign
policy and suppression of Muslim communities over the last decade, and call it
out for what it is.
Thanks to Assed Baig for his very valuable contributions.