Wake up and smell the coffee!

My friend in sixth form used to say to me “wake up and smell the coffee” whenever he tried explaining a complicated physics question which I didn’t understand. I now think it is time the Muslims is the UK wake up and smell the coffee before it is too late!

The recent killing of solidier Lee Rigby by a muslim convert, Michael Adebolajo has sparked rage all over the country. These cowardly acts by a crazy individual not in the name of Islam has led to an increase in attacks on Muslims. Mr Mughal who runs a project called Tell Mama said after the Woolwich murder there has been “a wave of attacks, harassment, and hate-filled speech against Muslims … an unprecedented number of incidents”, including “a rise in street harassment of Muslims – unprovoked, opportunistic attacks from strangers as Muslims go about their lives”.

There has been a growing tension towards Muslims since the rise of the English Defence League (EDL), but are the Muslims to blame? Here are some statistics;

• The 7/7 bombers were born and raised in the UK
• In 2008, the Muslim population represented 12% of the jail population in England and Wales despite making up less than 5% of the population.¹
• Muslims burn the poppies which lead rise to creation of the EDL
• Muslim gangs rape white girls in Rochdale and other towns

The above statistics are hard to digest but they are true. Why should a country deal with Muslims who are causing trouble in society? It might only be a minority of the total Muslim population that are causing trouble but it might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. If we aren’t careful, all Muslims could be kicked out of this country. You may think this isn’t possible but did you think there would be Muslims gangs raping white girls in the UK? It is time to be wake up and become proactive, rather than reactive.

For a long time now, the Muslims in the UK have been very quiet. We only raise our voices when we get attacked. We live in ghettos, don’t like to mix with non-muslims and blame others for our situation. This may be a generalisation but I am trying to make a point. That the Muslim community isn’t engaged enough in society as it could be. My friend Shafiq Pandor said “The idea that ‘the West’ is to blame for all the ills of the Ummah is convenient because it absolves Muslims around the world of any responsibility for it.”³

If we stay in our ghettos, not doing anything then we will be left vulnerable. We are sitting ducks, an easy target. What can we do to help our communities? Can we do anything that will improve non-muslims understanding of Islam? What are the 3000 plus mosques in the UK doing?

I believe it is time to wake up and smell the coffee. It is time to be proactive, educate ourselves and engage with the community. Not sure what you can do? Well there are fortunately avenues that you can take. I have listed a few of them below:

• Educate yourself by reading the free Muslim magazine aimed at the youth and young people. The magazine is packed full of inspirational stories, information about early Muslim scientists and current day Muslim role models. Read now at http://www.fifteen21.com/
• Start going to your mosque more regularly and engage with the mosque committee. Many times youngsters come up with ideas but they are rarely seen in the mosque. Why should the mosque committee listen to them if they are rarely seen in the mosque? We need to understand the mosque committees do want to make a difference, however they are of a different generation with a very different background to ourselves. It is only by making a presence will we eventually be heard.

 

• Look out for local events in your area on social network sites. One such event is feeding the homeless in Leeds. Every month the Muslims in Leeds gather outside the Leeds Art Gallery and offer food to the homeless. Get involved.

Muslims in the UK are very fortunate compared to other Muslims living in European countries. We are free to practice our religion, wear what we want and build mosques. I would say that the UK is the best place in Europe for a Muslim to live. However, we need to understand that this is a Christian country. We should respect that and engage with the society. This doesn’t mean we need to get drunk or go to pubs to fit in. There are other ways and methods we can use to get involved with the community.

I end this blog with a verse from the Quran which is repelling the bad with the good:

And not alike are the good and the evil. Repel (evil) with what is best, when lo! He between whom and you was enmity would be as if he were a warm friend. (Quran 41:34)

 

References

1-    http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/index.php/mosques-mean-criminality/

2-    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17993003

3-    http://www.leedsisoc.com/blog/201305/why-we-muslims-just-dont-get