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The Radicalisation Of British Muslims
This letter, from Dr Taj Hargay, Director of the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford, was published in last night’s London Evening Standard.
//BRITISH Muslims are being exposed to a poisonous theology from three major sources. The mullahs preach a primitive dichotomy between Muslims and unbelievers that extends to virtually every area of life. That message gets fed down to worshippers in mosques across the UK, then to impressionable minds in the madrasahs, the Muslim supplementary schools. This warped Wahhabi/Deobandi Islam is nothing but a blatant religio-cultural distortion derived not from the Koran but from manufactured religious sources like the alleged hadith sayings (compiled some 300 years after Mohammed's death), the sharia - a concoction of medieval clerical opinion - and the fatwahs - dubious religious rulings. With no balancing alternative that you must be an effective stakeholder and become fully integrated into society, this conditioning furnishes the perfect gateway theology for misguided Muslims to become alienated and radicalised. The Government is making a big mistake in focusing on diversionary measures such as the "Snoopers' Charter" rather than attacking toxic theology and religious indoctrination. Why does it continue to pour taxpayers' money into organisations that endorse the dissemination of divisive propaganda?
Academic specialists on Islam have the intellectual capacity to challenge the clergy's binary division of the world - but many are fearful of being branded as heretics by the orthodox establishment. Sadly, much of British Islam is merely a giant echo chamber of Saudi ideology. For Islam in the UK to move forward, it needs a complete root and branch reform so that it becomes naturalised to this country while remaining faithful to authentic Koranic principles of cosmopolitan pluralism and peaceful co-existence.//
This is what is happening in Britain today. We ignore it at our peril.
//BRITISH Muslims are being exposed to a poisonous theology from three major sources. The mullahs preach a primitive dichotomy between Muslims and unbelievers that extends to virtually every area of life. That message gets fed down to worshippers in mosques across the UK, then to impressionable minds in the madrasahs, the Muslim supplementary schools. This warped Wahhabi/Deobandi Islam is nothing but a blatant religio-cultural distortion derived not from the Koran but from manufactured religious sources like the alleged hadith sayings (compiled some 300 years after Mohammed's death), the sharia - a concoction of medieval clerical opinion - and the fatwahs - dubious religious rulings. With no balancing alternative that you must be an effective stakeholder and become fully integrated into society, this conditioning furnishes the perfect gateway theology for misguided Muslims to become alienated and radicalised. The Government is making a big mistake in focusing on diversionary measures such as the "Snoopers' Charter" rather than attacking toxic theology and religious indoctrination. Why does it continue to pour taxpayers' money into organisations that endorse the dissemination of divisive propaganda?
Academic specialists on Islam have the intellectual capacity to challenge the clergy's binary division of the world - but many are fearful of being branded as heretics by the orthodox establishment. Sadly, much of British Islam is merely a giant echo chamber of Saudi ideology. For Islam in the UK to move forward, it needs a complete root and branch reform so that it becomes naturalised to this country while remaining faithful to authentic Koranic principles of cosmopolitan pluralism and peaceful co-existence.//
This is what is happening in Britain today. We ignore it at our peril.
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Octavius, //So you are just talk then?//
I was answering a question put to me by IggyB, who asked me what I see as the next step in addressing the issues raised in this letter written in the wake of the horrendous slaughter of a British soldier. If you don’t think that’s a serious matter, buzz off. This is the News Section - and you’re making an idiot of yourself – again.
jno, this bears no comparison to World War II. This is a very different enemy, and if we're to combat it, we have to acknowledge that.
I was answering a question put to me by IggyB, who asked me what I see as the next step in addressing the issues raised in this letter written in the wake of the horrendous slaughter of a British soldier. If you don’t think that’s a serious matter, buzz off. This is the News Section - and you’re making an idiot of yourself – again.
jno, this bears no comparison to World War II. This is a very different enemy, and if we're to combat it, we have to acknowledge that.
I understand the desire to try and control the people who are following an extreme version of Islam or who are attempting to radicalized others but attempting to legislate against one or all religions as a whole does not seem to me to be the right approach. More government, more legislation and more involvement of the state in the populations personal lives would, I feel, result in more radicalisation not less. Though I agree that our current legislation should be used consistently to deal with those committing or inciting violence / hatred etc.
if we want people to become more moderate in their religious leanings don't we also have to remain moderate in our political approach to these religions?
if we want people to become more moderate in their religious leanings don't we also have to remain moderate in our political approach to these religions?
Iggy, //More government, more legislation and more involvement of the state in the populations personal lives would, I feel, result in more radicalisation not less.//
Personal lives? We’re talking about criminals, and if such measures resulted in more radicalisation, then we deal with that in the same way. People would have the same choice they have now - either abide by the law or face the consequences. Those who want to create devastation here might think twice if the penalty for them and their families were instant removal from the country – or if they’re home grown, a very lengthy term of imprisonment. The security of this nation and its people is paramount, and if this is the way these people choose to live, then we should have no hesitation in meeting that with harsh penalties.
//if we want people to become more moderate in their religious leanings don't we also have to remain moderate in our political approach to these religions?//
No, we don’t. We have remained moderate; it isn’t working, and it will never work. The problem is that you and several others here fail to recognise Islam for what it really is. It is not simply a religion – it is a complete way of life. It dictates every single aspect of its adherents lives – there are even specific rules concerning the correct procedure for using the lavatory! This is not just a religion – it is a doctrine that controls lives utterly and completely – and the faithful embrace that wholeheartedly. The Imam is consulted on the most insignificant of matters that you and I wouldn’t hesitate to deal with personally – and his decision is respected. You have to understand that the general population of Islam possesses a mindset far removed from that of western culture – and I think the greatest mistake we are making is in failing to acknowledge that.
Personal lives? We’re talking about criminals, and if such measures resulted in more radicalisation, then we deal with that in the same way. People would have the same choice they have now - either abide by the law or face the consequences. Those who want to create devastation here might think twice if the penalty for them and their families were instant removal from the country – or if they’re home grown, a very lengthy term of imprisonment. The security of this nation and its people is paramount, and if this is the way these people choose to live, then we should have no hesitation in meeting that with harsh penalties.
//if we want people to become more moderate in their religious leanings don't we also have to remain moderate in our political approach to these religions?//
No, we don’t. We have remained moderate; it isn’t working, and it will never work. The problem is that you and several others here fail to recognise Islam for what it really is. It is not simply a religion – it is a complete way of life. It dictates every single aspect of its adherents lives – there are even specific rules concerning the correct procedure for using the lavatory! This is not just a religion – it is a doctrine that controls lives utterly and completely – and the faithful embrace that wholeheartedly. The Imam is consulted on the most insignificant of matters that you and I wouldn’t hesitate to deal with personally – and his decision is respected. You have to understand that the general population of Islam possesses a mindset far removed from that of western culture – and I think the greatest mistake we are making is in failing to acknowledge that.
Naomi, congratulations on your forthright comments (08:37 post), as usual your common sense shines through and I feel sure you speak for many people who feel the same and can actually see what is going on. It's just a pity imo that whatever happens if it's left without being tackled, will be the legacy for the future generation to deal with.
i watched some footage on tv a few weeks ago, where a Muslim mediated for a married couple, the wife had been beaten, they had been married in Sharia law, she wanted a divorce, citing her husbands cruelty, violence, and he didn't work so she was supporting him, the male mediator gave her advice which was to try and be a better wife, try again, not sure i get that at all. No one knows what goes on in UK sharia courts, but we should, as i reckon many women don't get the help they need to escape violent marriages
Daisy, thank you. We can make excuses for radical Islam, but the truth is it doesn’t want that. It despises it. The West is its enemy - it will always be its enemy - and the sooner we acknowledge that the better.
Em, The account you give sounds about right. Nevertheless, we have to respect that, don’t we? ;o)
Orderlimit, excellent speech! Thank you for posting it. There is a man who understands the mindset – and the agenda - the free world is up against.
Em, The account you give sounds about right. Nevertheless, we have to respect that, don’t we? ;o)
Orderlimit, excellent speech! Thank you for posting it. There is a man who understands the mindset – and the agenda - the free world is up against.
Absolutely agree Naomi24. Meanwhile over here, Baroness Warsi, minister for faith and communities has recently stated that, ‘the good news is that government is finally dealing with the issue of Islamophobia and it is now a priority.’
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