40.Memorandum submitted by Young Muslims
UK (London Branch)
I am writing on behalf of the Young Muslims
UK (London Branch) to provide our views and opinions regarding
the inquiry into terrorism and community relations
The Young Muslims UK is the youth wing of the
Islamic Society of Britain (ISB) and an affiliate to the Muslim
Council of Britain—an umbrella organisation representing
the Islamic organisations and mosques in the UK.
The Young Muslims UK is overwhelmed that this
inquiry will be carried out and is somewhat overdue following
the much publicised treatment of British Muslims, especially after
9/11.
Our concerns as a youth organisation, are many,
primarily how many British Muslims are being labelled "terrorists'
and how Islam has been linked to encouraging terrorism. Despite
many statements about Islam's position on terrorism by leading
Islamic figures both in the UK and around the world, it seems
in the public eye that Islam preaches and encourages terrorism
and public disorder.
Islam is a religion of peace, love and harmony
and our holy scripture-—The Qur'an clearly makes reference
to this.
"God calls to the Abode of Peace and He
guides whom He wills to a straight path."
—Qur'an (10:25)
In today's society we are gradually using the
terms terrorist and terrorism being associated with Islam. But
how many us know what terrorism is? What it entails? If terrorism
is a term associated with Islam, how would one describe the activities
and the actions of groups such as the IRA, ETA and many other
groups who cause social disharmony?
If they fall under the description of "terrorism",
then are these groups "Christian terrorists"—a
phrase which has never been used before in modern day language.
The impact of the "All Muslims are terrorists"
mentality has created a stereotype amongst a growing number of
members of the British public is all to see. A Muslim man with
a beard or a Muslim female who wears a headscarf—hijab is
branded extreme, uncompromising and even oppressed from people
who know little or nothing about the religion of Islam
While a Christian nun who wears a headscarf
or a Jewish rabbi who grows a beard is seen as respectful, honest
and pious. This is the by-product of Islamophobia and stems from
the whole misconception that Islam promotes terrorism, violence
and is a religion which is intolerable.
The media has contributed towards the discrimination
and the ill feeling towards Muslims. Many right-wing newspapers
have created an image of fear and hatred towards Muslims as a
result of a few words said by a minority. They have latched on
these comments and used it as an opportunity to use these individuals
to misrepresent the face of Islam with an evil intention to sell
newspapers, make money and generate resentment towards Muslims.
This has also caused racism and crimes against
Muslims which are obviously never reported by the press. How many
incidents of streets attacks against Muslims are reported or jibes
against Muslim women, commonly labelled "ninjas".
This can only be evident by the increasing
support for hard line racist organisations such as the BNP, who
use the religion of Islam and promote it as religion which is
a threat to Britain and the world, and their recent political
broadcast which misquoting verses of the Qur'an is clearly evident
of this.
The media coverage has become so biased, that
the days of neutral and fair reporting are quickly diminishing.
The British public are well tuned to current affairs and tend
to believe what is said on the TV or the comments in a section
of a newspaper. British Muslims must ensure that the true faces
and voices of Islam are heard and reported accordingly.
Even if the media do report a fair and neutral
opinion of Islam and British Muslims generally, can we trust the
police? The police are recruiting more and more people from ethnic
minorities with a growing number from the Muslim community. Is
this playing the race card or is it a genuine attempt to ensure
that Britain's diversity is reflected in the police force?
The whole terrorism issue has forced a hardline
approach from the police, constant stop and searching anyone who
fits the stereotype of a "terrorist" using the zero
tolerance route to safeguard "national security". British
Muslims are losing trust with the police and this has been further
reflected with the incident involving our dear brother, Baber
Ahmed. This incident was never reported in the media and has only
come to light from the efforts of the Muslim community and initiatives
such as Stop Political Terror.
For those who do not know, Baber Ahmed was
a victim of a quite savage arrest by Anti-Terrorist Police who
broke into his house in a pre-dawn raid. He was then brutally
assaulted in front of his wife. He sustained over 50 injuries
to his body, two of which were life-threatening. During this attack
Babar was placed in the prayer position and asked, "Where
is your God now?"
After six days of intensive investigation he
was released without charge.
Babar filed a complaint against the police officers
who assaulted him. Despite photographic evidence of his injuries,
independent medical reports and eye-witness statements, the Crown
Prosecution Service decided that there was "insufficient
evidence" to prosecute any of the officers involved.
On 5 August 2004 Babar was re-arrested on an
Extradition Warrant from the United States of America. He is currently
held as a British Political Prisoner at Woodhill Prison, Milton
Keynes awaiting Extradition proceedings to commence in November
2004.
This quite shocking incident demonstrates how
the civil liberties of British Muslims have become abused by the
law for the sake of the "fight against terrorism". The
notion of "guilty until proven innocent" is commonly
used and only one side of the story is portrayed.
It has created a lack of confidence with the
rule of law and the British policing system. This incident happened
to an ordinary individual who is a respected family man, this
can happen to anyone.
Islam denounces terrorism and anyone who promotes
such behaviour. Muslims are not terrorists; we are peace-loving
people who represent the teachings of God through the Qur'an and
the example of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
I hope that this inquiry looks into the issues
that have been highlighted and represents a balanced conclusion.
Imran Mohiuddin
27 November 2004
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