This report claims that many British people believe Muslims have not integrated – but does this not tell us more about those British people than it does about British Muslims? How many of these Brits criticising their Muslim compatriots actually know that sharia law dictates a person should obey the law of the country they live in, thus advocating strong national pride?
British Muslims are increasingly being seen by their fellow citizens as suspect Getty
An independent report chaired by Conservative MP Dominic Grieve, titled The Missing Muslims: Unlocking British Muslim Potential for the Good of All has just been released – and it’s made for discouraging reading.
Admittedly, the report includes some well-warranted policies, including an independent review into the Government’s anti-terrorism Prevent programme, advice for media reporting on issues relating to Islam, adopting a legal definition of anti-Muslim prejudice, and encouraging universities to offer courses for imams to receive religious and educational qualifications.
In these respects, the report signals a step forward in battling the rise in Islamophobia seen since the EU referendum result, and the anti-Muslim rhetoric that has become increasingly common in politics. And I appreciate that Dominic Grieve wants to unlock my potential “for the benefit of all”. However, the whole thing is inconsistent at best, providing only a half-hearted understanding of the political dynamics surrounding “integration”, and continuing to treat Muslims primarily as suspect.
MORE: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/muslim-potential-report-islam-britain-dominic-grieve-islamophobia-terrorism-a7820851.html
Categories: Europe, Europe and Australia, European Union, UK