Dame Louise's review into integration of minorities has come across very racist and biased. Muslims as always, are repetitively targeted as being in need of some sort of intervention and help. We are seen as outcasts in society, barbaric even. I am sick of this. What is actually being done to support Muslims and make them feel welcome in a global complex, fixated on maligning Islam? In my eyes, all I see is continued effort to isolate us with ill attitudes and prejudices towards us, to then complain we aren't 'integrated' enough?
David Cameron had commissioned Dame Louise Casey to carry out this review, in a bid to tackle extremism. Rather than reduce extremism, it is likely to cause an uproar in the Muslim community and most likely to have people feeling isolated (and therefore more vulnerable to becoming radical). Radicalism has nothing to do with one's religion, but rather socio-economic and mental health state factors which affects their ability to cause harm to others.
Among many of her recommendations, one of them is that immigrants should take an "integration oath" and school children be taught British values. What exactly are British values? If the British have made the Indian curry part of the British menu, why does British values .. then exist to conjure up images of White men in suits making a toast with their wine glasses? Black and Brown is just as much British now as ever. British is no longer White - Britain is multi-cultural, surely our values should portray that too? Surely? Suppose we swap the word immigrant over for non-white, in this context particularly : Muslim .. what values that belong in this group are so detrimental to the success and prosperity of a British society?
Is it hospitality? Muslims are very hospitable, compared to most faith groups. We place huge emphasis on treating guests with extreme kindness and warmth. Is it self-respect and dignity? Muslim men and women are encouraged to guard their modesty and be judged on their character, as opposed to continuously having to upgrade their physical appearance. Is it a peaceful lifestyle? Muslims are steered to regularly praying and being kind and compassionate to other human beings.
Dame Louise Casey made a further claim that Muslim women are being kept at home, and in this way being hindered of interaction and integration with British society. This is not true - most Muslim women are now going out to work, in jobs as carers and childminders. Why wasn't there any points made about the White working-class women being 'kept' at home, or even Black working-class women? Why is it always Muslim women?
Instead on making a call out for Muslims and/or immigrants to integrate with British society, take a leaf out of our book. Strive hard like we do, persevere like we do, show empathy and concern for others like we do. Muslims don't need to integrate with British society, British society need to integrate with Muslims.
Stop singling us out, we aren't aliens, but human too!
Among many of her recommendations, one of them is that immigrants should take an "integration oath" and school children be taught British values. What exactly are British values? If the British have made the Indian curry part of the British menu, why does British values .. then exist to conjure up images of White men in suits making a toast with their wine glasses? Black and Brown is just as much British now as ever. British is no longer White - Britain is multi-cultural, surely our values should portray that too? Surely? Suppose we swap the word immigrant over for non-white, in this context particularly : Muslim .. what values that belong in this group are so detrimental to the success and prosperity of a British society?
Is it hospitality? Muslims are very hospitable, compared to most faith groups. We place huge emphasis on treating guests with extreme kindness and warmth. Is it self-respect and dignity? Muslim men and women are encouraged to guard their modesty and be judged on their character, as opposed to continuously having to upgrade their physical appearance. Is it a peaceful lifestyle? Muslims are steered to regularly praying and being kind and compassionate to other human beings.
Dame Louise Casey made a further claim that Muslim women are being kept at home, and in this way being hindered of interaction and integration with British society. This is not true - most Muslim women are now going out to work, in jobs as carers and childminders. Why wasn't there any points made about the White working-class women being 'kept' at home, or even Black working-class women? Why is it always Muslim women?
Instead on making a call out for Muslims and/or immigrants to integrate with British society, take a leaf out of our book. Strive hard like we do, persevere like we do, show empathy and concern for others like we do. Muslims don't need to integrate with British society, British society need to integrate with Muslims.
Stop singling us out, we aren't aliens, but human too!