Dr. Ali Miraj, who is involved in politics with the Conservative Party, summarized young people’s feelings.
“Young people are unhappy in their homes and in their society for various reasons. For this reason, they either join radical movements or drug and crime gangs. Only a few of them remain neutral.”
This has been a very important issue lately. What factors compel young people living in this country to become radical? Although a very critical question in regards to the future of British Muslims, the answer is unclear.
Khurshid Ahmad from the British Muslim Forum believes that Muslims are facing the same problems African and Irish immigrants faced 15-20 years ago. He recalls the warnings on bar doors, “No dogs or Irish allowed.”
Drawing attention to the negative role played by the press, Ahmad notes that offensive remarks on Islam trigger reaction and protest, outrage and sensitivity from even unreligious Muslims.
Another factor behind the radicalization of the young generations is the problem the more than 1,500 imams in the country pose.
The imams, mainly from outside the country, lack good communication with the younger generations and can not come to grips with the overall state of the Muslim community in the country.
An authority responsible for training the imams notes: “Most of the imams do not qualify to work in Great Britain. This issue is one of the most fundamental weaknesses of the Muslim community. There are still individuals who are unable to speak English after living here for 25 years..”
Both Muslims and the British authorities want “home grown imams.” The new National Advisory Council of Imams and Mosques is making plans to improve the quality of imams.
British foreign policy has negative impact.
Everyone talks about the negative impact of British policy in the Middle East. Shaid Raza, Secretary-General of the Shariah Council, a lecturer at the Muslim College, explains the dilemma they face.
“We constantly explain to our community and our youngsters Islam’s messages on peace, dialogue, and tolerance. However, every night on the TV they watch war scenes from Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan, humiliating Muslims. This situation leads them to different directions. It creates tension and increases the appeal of radical discourses.”
All the Muslims we met agreed that British foreign policy did not justify the terrorist incidents.
However, they noted that they were unable to understand the government’s indifferent behavior as if there were no connection between the two.
For instance, Zahid Hussain, a young executive at a civil society organization called Cheetham al-Hilal, which has been active for 20 years in Manchester, stresses that it should be accepted that Muslims are interested in any problem affecting other Muslims.
“Resolving the Palestinian or Iraqi problems might be difficult. However, if people had been convinced that the US and Great Britain were sincerely committed to resolving those issues, the problems would not have been so complicated,” he said.
Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan, director of the Center for Islamic Culture and the London Central Mosque, says that the impact of foreign policy cannot be neglected, and that looking inward would not solve the problems.
However, despite the growing problems, Dubayan believes Great Britain is the best place in Europe for Muslims.
The start of a comprehensive human relations movement both in and out of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be perceived as an acceptance of a connection between policy and public opinion.
In this regard, the ministry frequently organizes gatherings to discuss foreign politics and invites many Muslim institutions.
There are documents signed by the minister published in the Muslim press. The ministry openly supports a Haj pilgrimage organization supported by 25,000 Muslims.
Prominent Muslim figures are encouraged to hold conferences, and delegations with Muslim members are sent to other Muslim countries.
On the other hand, the British government seeks to develop a balance between the religious and ethnic population and their representation in the public services. Every government foundation is obliged to submit a progress report on their action plans to ensure proper representation. A quota cannot be applied, but persuasion is allowed.
There is a body established to set targets and inspect implementation. For example, the Ministry of Interior’s goal is to bring unemployment down to eight percent.
This is a very urgent need because there are only 300 Muslim policemen in London, according London police official Rose Fitzpatrick. This is below one percent of the police workforce. There is a general problem concerning Muslim employment.
The number of unemployed Muslims is 15 percent higher than the overall unemployment rate in England. The natural result of unemployment and low education can be easily seen in prisons, where Muslims account for nine percent of the population.
Education top priority
The main problem the Muslim community faces is receiving good education. Efforts to improve education opportunities will not only decrease unemployment but it will also help the younger generation to be more hopeful about the future. In 2001, there were 371,000 Muslims between the age of 5 and 16.
About 20,000 students receive education at private Muslim schools funded by non-profit organizations. But only five of these schools receive government funding. The remaining population must be supported.
I think this note will help to underline the difference between the education Muslims receive and the education others receive. Of the 33,000 children in Jewish schools, 13,000 receive education at private Jewish schools supported by the government. The Turkish population that exceeds 200,000 was not referred to in this program.
However, Turkish schools, which yield exemplary results in education, must be examined to ensure a good future.
The first Turkish School, Wisdom Primary and Secondary School, to use the British education curriculum will open in Britain this year.
Wars in Muslim Lands
The war on terror that began after the September 11 attacks is only taking place in Muslim countries.
American forces entered Afghanistan but before establishing peace and order in the country they turned their focus on Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein.
While five years have passed, chaos and instability remain in Afghanistan and Taliban attacks have recently increased.
In Iraq, there are civil war concerns because of the increasing sectarian violence.
Turkey’s EU membership could support integration
While the program did not focus on Turks living in England, Muslims worldwide are excited about Turkey’s EU bid and are making comparisons between their politics and Turkey’s.
According to Zahid Huseyin, Turkey will not only be a bridge between the West and East but it will also be a bridge between Europe and the Muslim world.
Hurshid Ahmad also believes Turkey’s membership will support Muslim integration, noting a negative response to Turkey’s EU bid will be regarded as a negative response to Islam.
