On Terrorism and Integration

Held at the British Medical Association the Quilliam Foundation's panel discussion commemorated the second year Anniversary of the controversial think tank and also sought to provide insight into the never ending debate about Muslims and their integration into British society. For those who have already placed the think tank in the bin labeled “Illegitimate Mouthpiece of the Muslim Community,” the event did very little to quell such views.
 

Included in the list of interesting statements which left me shaking my head and asking “Really?” were Majid Nawaz’s claims that prior to Quilliam no other figure or organization in the Muslim community- was speaking out against terrorism. It is truly a unique organization with a distinct message.A great accomplishment to boast of yes-yet one that neglects the thousands of years worth of Classical Islamic scholarship which denounces the targeting of civilians, the fact that post 9-11 leading Islamic scholars and Islamic parties (“Islamists”) world wide denounced terrorism in a collective statement, or that as early as 1998 organizations such as Muslims Against Terrorism (one amongst many) already existed.

In 1996 as an awkward pre-teen I was telling my friends in elementary school that violence is not acceptable. I was the loudest kid in my school –ask my teachers. Yet I do not claim to be the first Muslim who attempted to delegitimize it. In short the debate over religious extremism and the legacy of Muslims denouncing it is as old as the debate itself. Muslims have always denounced terrorism. What seperates the think tank from the main stream masses is millions of British tax-payer pounds.
 

Superimposed upon this troubling claim were the remarks of Ms. Ali who likened the British Muslim community to a schizophrenic individual wrapped in a self-imposed straight jacket, tied up in backwards and archaic practices which impede integration such as gender segregation and Niqabs. Muslims do not question or think – we merely follow. Consequently her words inspired me to write an article for the Guardian’s Free D Competition, thus the event was not without its merits.
 

Michael Gove in discussing the multi faceted nature of Britishness reminded the audience that the very idea of what it means to British has been transformed by the very thoughts and presence of its immigrant community.

Yet the most interesting remarks raised at the event came from Professor Tahir Abbas. Building upon the recent findings of Gallup and their work with Muslims in Europe which paints a troubling picture of an economically weak community- Abbas argued that the lack of engagement that characterizes some Muslims in Britain is not a product of theology or active choice but rather attributed to the absence of opportunity. Many Muslims wish to integrate do not have the chance.
 

In light of the comments raised by Professor Abbas-I finish off on this question: Are the perceived “failures” and “weaknesses” of the Muslim community in Britain and perhaps the Muslim world a result of the choices it has made- or whether it is in fact structural (social, political and economic) inequality? I know my answer. I want to hear yours.  

If you wish to subject yourself to more torture and learn more about Quilliam visit their website.