http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6585411.stm
not sure what to make of this one...
initial reaction: 'don't let the door hit you on the way out'.
However, I suspect it's a little more complicated than that. I guess it shows more loyalty to their religion than the country of their birth, which housed them, educated them etc. The cynic in me says 'tell me something I didn't know'.
Again I'm drawn to the idea that 'they' need to combat the negative view of Islam in the UK with the help of those who are willing to support them. Standing up for their rights (lol when has that ever been a non issue for Islam here?) ought to be something to fight for in a country like the UK. Sure there's a bad view of the religion right now, all the more reason for those who don't subscribe to extremism and just want to get along with their lives here to stand up and be counted, vociferously and unflinchingly. Moving out and giving up seems like a cop-out to me.
on the other hand
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6569579.stm this guy seems to have a handle on the whole business-
Quote:
If there is any chance of challenging the violent "jihadi" ideology of the world's Osama bin Ladens, then it may lie in this critical reasoning and renaissance of ideas, says Ahmad.
"Take the Islamic beard issue," he says. "The Prophet Mohammed had a beard. So people say you must have a beard to be a good Muslim. But he didn't have a mobile phone, did he? He didn't drive either. So should we use one or not? These people who are trying to tell us what is or what is not Islamic are putting their intellect on hold. There is more than one way to be a Muslim."
Differences, he argues, are not always as they appear when we are living with exaggeration and fear.
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Perhaps with those who deem the best choice to leave this country are doing so not out of a sense of persecution -
Quote:
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"Living here is not how it was. The politics and the environment has changed and people's perception of Muslims has changed dramatically. A number of incidents in UK over past 3-4 years have marred life for decent Muslims living here."
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Quote:
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"You feel you are having to constantly prove that you're not what other people think you are. You always have to be on your guard."
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- but due to an unwillingness to confront the real causes of the discontent with what many British people perceive to be the core of Islamic fundamentalism. It's easier to point fingers and say 'we're not the problem, the way you see us is' and leave than to take action to avoid this apparent tacit approval of extremism.
If I'm entirely honest in my opinion of this then I have to say it is somewhat ungrateful of them to desert their country when it needs bright, educated and moral individuals to help smooth out the creases in our towns and cities' communities.
In a sense I can understand the feelings of these people, but their attitude in this case is definitely wrong footed. I'm sure that there are some here in the UK who will see this as a sort of admission of guilt.
Either way, it does nothing to help resolve the issues regarding Muslims and extremism in the UK and the way these things are viewed, if anything it is detrimental to the very people who are effected most; a sort of vicious circle, if you see what I mean. These 'middle-class' Muslims are surely in one of the best positions to champion the success of their homeland (the UK) and the ability to communicate their Britishness to those who still need convincing should not be underestimated.
Quote:
For Mrs al-Sibassi it's a difficult choice.
"That has come to my mind - discussing with like-minded friends of mine who are female and wear the hijab. Again and again, the same issue comes up, that you need to stay and fight."
But she knows her children must come first, and for her, that means a plane to the Emirates.
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Everyone has their own prerogative, but running away will not serve to help anyone but themselves...
But isn't that the way with most people now? So in a sense maybe they are truly integrated now already
As usual, after some considered thought during a quieter moment in the office, I am left with more questions than answers.