The British Muslim: Conundrum, Compatibility or Contradiction

Written by members of the Young Muslim Advisory Group of which I am a member www.ymag.opm.co.uk

On 1st March, 2010, we once again witnessed the resurrection of the age old stereotypes that seem to have smuggled their way back into our minds, propagated by none other than Andrew Gilligan.

During the ‘Dispatches’ programme, which aired on Channel 4 on Monday evening, a string of false and baseless accusations about the Islamic Forum Europe (IFE), were displayed in front of us on national television. The sinister undertone of the programme insinuated that the Muslims associated with the IFE, and the East London Mosque, are a threat to the social, political and economic stability of our country.

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The Great British Ramadan

Yumm

One of the greatest achievements that Islam has had is the ability to adapt to and co-exist in communities that traditionally are not Islamic. The early companions of the Prophet (saw) never imposed a new culture into a community but would bring in the beautiful aspects of Islam and live alongside the cultures they found. Now we are not talking about things that compromise the commandments of the Almighty but about becoming active members of the community we live in, showing that Islam is a way of life that is not difficult or a burden on people but beautiful and flourishing.

The same is true today – we are young British Muslims who have an identity of being British and yet hold dearly our beliefs – nothing can show this more so then the blessed month of Ramadan. As the moon is sighted to signify the beginning of Ramadan, our attitudes change and we make more of an effort to concentrate on our spirituality while continuing to get on with our normal British lives; we must go to work and yet we must try and get the most and best out of this month and we can do this like the companions who migrated to cities far from their original homes.
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Why I Love Being British

Union Jack

It’s the new age question that is all over the media these days – are we British Muslims or Muslims living in Britain? For me the question is completely irrelevant.

Why should we separate the two? Isn’t splitting the nation into Muslims and Non-Muslims more destructive to society? Who cares if I say I am a Muslim first and a Brit second? I wake up every day swearing that Allah is the one true God and Islam is my faith based on the final messenger Muhammad SAW and throughout my day I read about local and national issues, I support my local MP, I help lobby parliament on issues that are important to me. For example right now I’m writing to Prime Minister Gordon Brown to confirm his attendance as he is yet to do for the Copenhagen conference this December where world leaders will discuss the important issues of climate change and how it is affecting the world we live in. All of this in between my job, my prayers and whatever else I can fit in between.

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