UK: CoE interview MCB head on Islamophobia
Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain was interviewed on the Council of Europe site regarding Islamophobia in Britain.
In summary: Islamophobia is growing and should be fought, relations in Britain are good but being undermined, terrorism is un-Islamic but British foreign policy incited British Muslim youth to it, and the press and public discourse should be more considerate of religious feelings and encouraging xenophobia.
I bring here part of the interview. The rest is available on the CoE site.
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How do you assess the level of Islamophobia in Britain?
Islamophobia in Britain is a cause for concern for Muslims and non–Muslims alike. This form of Islamophobia is flamed by those with agendas like the right wing politician and the right wing media. Sensational headlines, together with a lack of understanding, can create a climate of fear which has often perpetuated a lack of direction and understanding. The media has contributed to the demonisation of Muslims by concentrating on a few extremists and ignoring the law-abiding majority.
Similarly with the rise of the Far Right, who thrive on uncertainty and fear, our political elite haven't challenged them but have been more determined to take their place with sound bites over immigration, security and employment. This dangerous game has given rise to Islamophobia , with our politicians pandering to the right-wing agenda and jostling for votes at the expense of the Muslim community.
In 2008, the Pew Group noticed that within Europe and Britain, anti-Islamic tendencies had risen. The survey found out that in 2005, 14% of British opinion was negative towards Muslims. That figure in 2008 had risen to 23%. There needs to be greater dialogue and understanding between Muslims and the wider community, and the media have a duty to ensure that there is fair representation of Muslims in order to stop the disease of Islamophobia.
There remains a section of the British media, largely columnists in right-wing newspapers, who deny the existence of such a thing as Islamophobia. They blithely conflate criticism of Islam and Islamic practices as constituting Islamophobia and treat it as some sort of censorship designed to leave Muslims beyond the critical pale.
(..)
How has the war against terrorism affected Muslim communities in Britain ?
First and foremost it is worth noting that acts of terrorism, in the name of religion or outside religion, have no place in society. My own concern turns to anguish when terrorist acts are carried out in the name of Islam, even though such heinous actions have no basis in the faith. I worry about the very real possibility of young people in my community degrading themselves to such a level as to become perpetrators of these un-Islamic acts.
However, we also have to look at the causes of terrorism, and images of dead Palestinians, dead Iraqis and general double standards in foreign policy by our own British government sadly stokes up anger in many young Muslim minds. Of course, creating mayhem through terror is not the answer, but ignoring legitimate objections to unprincipled policy interventions is a cause of terrorism. This is something that has been reinforced by the former head of MI5, Dame Stella Rimington; British government policies in the Middle East has had disastrous consequences for radicalisation.
As Muslims, we have unreservedly spoken out against this perversion of our faith. There is no Islamic basis to what we witnessed in New York , Madrid , Istanbul , Bali, London or anywhere else where there is indiscriminate murder. We persistently remind ourselves of the Qur ' anic edict – ''If anyone kills a human being .... it should be looked upon as though he had slain all mankind, and if anyone saves a life it should be regarded as though he had saved the lives of all mankind.(5:32)''
The Muslim Council of Britain, since the attacks of 9/11 and 7/7, has reminded its affiliated bodies and the wider Muslim community to engage with the authorities in reporting terrorist acts.
The MCB produced a pocket leaflet informing Muslims of their rights if apprehended under revised terrorism legislation but also of their responsibilities, as citizens, to report any suspicions of activity that may assist in early detection of terrorist plots.
Our efforts to address these problems have involved voicing our clear rejection of terrorism committed in the name of religion, assisting Muslims in reporting hate crimes and availing themselves of the Terrorism Hotline set up by the police, and speaking against Government policies that we felt would only aggravate radicalisation. However, our efforts have been marginalised and the Muslim community are still blamed for extraneous factors that have augmented our problems, even though we have cautioned loudly and consistently about them.
The Muslim community feels the strain of the 'War on Terror' and some may even equate it as a 'War on Islam.' Those who insist on creating a climate of fear by saying Islam isn't adaptable to Western values make the most out of this vulnerable situation, but many Muslims with their non–Muslim allies are doing what they can to ensure that the British Muslim community can continue to play a vibrant role in the society as Muslims and as British citizens.
(..)
What role can the media play in promoting diversity and religious tolerance in Europe?
The media has a responsibility towards impartial and quality reporting of all affairs in society. The great media of the past would be objective and hold all sides to account not in favour of sales of papers but for the integrity of public interest.
It is however, quite clear that some media outlets have an agenda of creating differences due to their political beliefs and outlook which go against diversity and religious tolerance. We are seeing far more of an editorial input in the way in which newspapers report on Muslim issues and communities.
One shouldn't be despondent, but take up the challenge to get one's voice heard through lobbying, media monitoring and proactive engagement. The media is a powerful tool of communication and, whether it is a local newspaper or an international news conglomerate, their purpose is to serve their listeners, viewers and readers.
It is important for the media to cast aside sensationalism, lazy journalism and prejudicial content, in favour of honest and diverse reporting (using multiple spokespeople and organisations – not a select or unrepresentative few), investigative journalism and impartial content.
The media should serve all members of society and not be treated as an organ of the powerful to vilify a vulnerable and comparatively weak minority.
A more representative media – that is, one made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds - is a practical step that would assist in the under-representation of minority groups in the media and the misrepresentation that often goes along with that.
How can the Council of Europe's 'Speak Out Against Discrimination' campaign help in the fight against Islamophobia in Britain ?
The campaign should highlight the very real nature of Islamophobia and its threat to peaceful coexistence of communities in Britain.
The campaign should be complemented with a study of the UK media and Muslims, in order to underline the problems of prejudicial reporting and media hysteria that surrounds stories involving Muslims.
The strength and reach of the campaign will have a positive effect on individuals who see Islamophobia as a 'manufactured grievance.' By emphasising the problems that Muslims face, as a consequence of negative and biased media-reporting, the disastrous and detrimental effects of Islamophobia in the lives of members of a faith group will be brought to light.
Many reports have revealed the extent to which Islamophobia prevails in the UK media and which has subsequent effect on the politics of far right groups and individuals. What is necessary in the Council of Europe campaign, if it is to be successful, is the need to bring these matters to wider attention and to reinforce the failure of liberal democratic societies in Europe who, as signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights, fail to uphold the rights of their citizens to 'freedom of belief' and where minorities are disdainfully treated as the 'aliens within.'
(more)
Source: CoE (English)
Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain was interviewed on the Council of Europe site regarding Islamophobia in Britain.
In summary: Islamophobia is growing and should be fought, relations in Britain are good but being undermined, terrorism is un-Islamic but British foreign policy incited British Muslim youth to it, and the press and public discourse should be more considerate of religious feelings and encouraging xenophobia.
I bring here part of the interview. The rest is available on the CoE site.
---------------
How do you assess the level of Islamophobia in Britain?
Islamophobia in Britain is a cause for concern for Muslims and non–Muslims alike. This form of Islamophobia is flamed by those with agendas like the right wing politician and the right wing media. Sensational headlines, together with a lack of understanding, can create a climate of fear which has often perpetuated a lack of direction and understanding. The media has contributed to the demonisation of Muslims by concentrating on a few extremists and ignoring the law-abiding majority.
Similarly with the rise of the Far Right, who thrive on uncertainty and fear, our political elite haven't challenged them but have been more determined to take their place with sound bites over immigration, security and employment. This dangerous game has given rise to Islamophobia , with our politicians pandering to the right-wing agenda and jostling for votes at the expense of the Muslim community.
In 2008, the Pew Group noticed that within Europe and Britain, anti-Islamic tendencies had risen. The survey found out that in 2005, 14% of British opinion was negative towards Muslims. That figure in 2008 had risen to 23%. There needs to be greater dialogue and understanding between Muslims and the wider community, and the media have a duty to ensure that there is fair representation of Muslims in order to stop the disease of Islamophobia.
There remains a section of the British media, largely columnists in right-wing newspapers, who deny the existence of such a thing as Islamophobia. They blithely conflate criticism of Islam and Islamic practices as constituting Islamophobia and treat it as some sort of censorship designed to leave Muslims beyond the critical pale.
(..)
How has the war against terrorism affected Muslim communities in Britain ?
First and foremost it is worth noting that acts of terrorism, in the name of religion or outside religion, have no place in society. My own concern turns to anguish when terrorist acts are carried out in the name of Islam, even though such heinous actions have no basis in the faith. I worry about the very real possibility of young people in my community degrading themselves to such a level as to become perpetrators of these un-Islamic acts.
However, we also have to look at the causes of terrorism, and images of dead Palestinians, dead Iraqis and general double standards in foreign policy by our own British government sadly stokes up anger in many young Muslim minds. Of course, creating mayhem through terror is not the answer, but ignoring legitimate objections to unprincipled policy interventions is a cause of terrorism. This is something that has been reinforced by the former head of MI5, Dame Stella Rimington; British government policies in the Middle East has had disastrous consequences for radicalisation.
As Muslims, we have unreservedly spoken out against this perversion of our faith. There is no Islamic basis to what we witnessed in New York , Madrid , Istanbul , Bali, London or anywhere else where there is indiscriminate murder. We persistently remind ourselves of the Qur ' anic edict – ''If anyone kills a human being .... it should be looked upon as though he had slain all mankind, and if anyone saves a life it should be regarded as though he had saved the lives of all mankind.(5:32)''
The Muslim Council of Britain, since the attacks of 9/11 and 7/7, has reminded its affiliated bodies and the wider Muslim community to engage with the authorities in reporting terrorist acts.
The MCB produced a pocket leaflet informing Muslims of their rights if apprehended under revised terrorism legislation but also of their responsibilities, as citizens, to report any suspicions of activity that may assist in early detection of terrorist plots.
Our efforts to address these problems have involved voicing our clear rejection of terrorism committed in the name of religion, assisting Muslims in reporting hate crimes and availing themselves of the Terrorism Hotline set up by the police, and speaking against Government policies that we felt would only aggravate radicalisation. However, our efforts have been marginalised and the Muslim community are still blamed for extraneous factors that have augmented our problems, even though we have cautioned loudly and consistently about them.
The Muslim community feels the strain of the 'War on Terror' and some may even equate it as a 'War on Islam.' Those who insist on creating a climate of fear by saying Islam isn't adaptable to Western values make the most out of this vulnerable situation, but many Muslims with their non–Muslim allies are doing what they can to ensure that the British Muslim community can continue to play a vibrant role in the society as Muslims and as British citizens.
(..)
What role can the media play in promoting diversity and religious tolerance in Europe?
The media has a responsibility towards impartial and quality reporting of all affairs in society. The great media of the past would be objective and hold all sides to account not in favour of sales of papers but for the integrity of public interest.
It is however, quite clear that some media outlets have an agenda of creating differences due to their political beliefs and outlook which go against diversity and religious tolerance. We are seeing far more of an editorial input in the way in which newspapers report on Muslim issues and communities.
One shouldn't be despondent, but take up the challenge to get one's voice heard through lobbying, media monitoring and proactive engagement. The media is a powerful tool of communication and, whether it is a local newspaper or an international news conglomerate, their purpose is to serve their listeners, viewers and readers.
It is important for the media to cast aside sensationalism, lazy journalism and prejudicial content, in favour of honest and diverse reporting (using multiple spokespeople and organisations – not a select or unrepresentative few), investigative journalism and impartial content.
The media should serve all members of society and not be treated as an organ of the powerful to vilify a vulnerable and comparatively weak minority.
A more representative media – that is, one made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds - is a practical step that would assist in the under-representation of minority groups in the media and the misrepresentation that often goes along with that.
How can the Council of Europe's 'Speak Out Against Discrimination' campaign help in the fight against Islamophobia in Britain ?
The campaign should highlight the very real nature of Islamophobia and its threat to peaceful coexistence of communities in Britain.
The campaign should be complemented with a study of the UK media and Muslims, in order to underline the problems of prejudicial reporting and media hysteria that surrounds stories involving Muslims.
The strength and reach of the campaign will have a positive effect on individuals who see Islamophobia as a 'manufactured grievance.' By emphasising the problems that Muslims face, as a consequence of negative and biased media-reporting, the disastrous and detrimental effects of Islamophobia in the lives of members of a faith group will be brought to light.
Many reports have revealed the extent to which Islamophobia prevails in the UK media and which has subsequent effect on the politics of far right groups and individuals. What is necessary in the Council of Europe campaign, if it is to be successful, is the need to bring these matters to wider attention and to reinforce the failure of liberal democratic societies in Europe who, as signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights, fail to uphold the rights of their citizens to 'freedom of belief' and where minorities are disdainfully treated as the 'aliens within.'
(more)
Source: CoE (English)
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