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July 14, 2005
Waking up to responsibility
It is encouraging to hear and see the leaders of the Muslim community here in Britain, and many of their community actually condemning the bombings in London. The leader of the Muslim Council of Great Britain has joined a platform of Christian leaders, politicians, and other religious figures to express outrage at the bombings - even going so far as to declare that the bombers "are not following Islam" when they carry out such attacks on innocent people.
On the streets there is a real fear among Muslims that the likes of the BNP will use this as an excuse to attack anyone who does not meet their ideas of "Britishness". That fear is well founded, and such attacks are to be condemned, the perpetrators caught and punished - this is not the appropriate response to an act of barabarism carried out by misguided fanatics who are no more representative of the Muslim population than the BNP is of the population of Britain.
It was interesting this morning to hear a young Muslim woman saying on TV that she felt it was right that Muslims should defend one another and support the struggle for recognition and their religion - but at the same time declaring that the bombers were soiling the name of Islam. She represents the dichotomy that all adherents to Islam face - the Koran specifically commands that they support and defend each other against "the infidels". It also states categorically that no "believer" - ie; any Muslim - is bound to give allegiance to any "infidel" or any government of "infidels". In other words, and this is enshrined in the Sharia Law, any Muslim living in a non-Muslim country owes it no allegiance. This is a major reason why, in any Muslim country, you will find no Christian (or any other religion) in the Civil Service or in any position of authority over any Muslim.
This seems, at last, to be penetrating the collective consciousness of the majority of British Muslims, you cannot enjoy the benefits of living in a country without respecting its legal system and the rights of all those who share the country with you. It is a small step, but it is an important one, nonetheless. For this is at last a recognition that this creation of a society within a society simply fuels distrust and creates divisions.
There is still a long way to go on this yet, and I suspect that there will be many more incidents to deal with before the rank and file of Islam begin to reject and expel the fanatics among their number who refuse to accept that the world is no longer in the 7th Century and is not prepared to go back to it.
We should not forget, either, that it is not just Muslim fanatics who are a threat - all those who hide behind fundamentalist religion of any sort - Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or anything else - are a threat to peace, to harmony among the nations, and an affront to God. I welcome the expressions of horror and disgust from the religious leaders, and applaud the Muslim leaders particularly. They are risking more than anyone else, given the entrenched fanaticism that they must try to moderate.
Let us hope that sense and God prevail against these evil acts.
Posted by The Gray Monk at July 14, 2005 11:32 AM
Comments
I also share your recognition of the Muslim leaders of Britain. They have been very co-operative and yes they do risk a lot, to go against their Koran. I am alos extremely glad that they ackknowledge that these fundamentalists do not follow true Islam. They have twisted words from their Koran to suit their militant views, and their belief that they do not owe anything to us. Of course, they do not owe us anything, and vice versa. But just because I don't owe money to the bank, doesn't mean I buy a gun and rob it. I too hope that sense is found, and that God will keep us all safe from harm.
Posted by: Tom at July 14, 2005 11:05 PM