British Muslims: For Ramadan, a smorgasbord of controversy

Now all I need is a veil and a gun

During Ramadan, Muslims in Britain – as with Muslims everywhere – turn to daily fasting, prayer, and reflection (and iftar!). In this way, Ramadan is often seen as a “quiet” month, when Muslim political activity and businesses (except restaurants, perhaps) turn it down a notch. However, for the British media – accompanied by a particular cast of characters – a slew of controversies have cropped up, all of which have given Muslims and non-Muslims a lingering sense of indigestion.

First we had the case of Misbah Rana (nee Molly Campbell), a 12 year old Scottish Muslim girl who fled her Anglo mother to join her father in Pakistan. In any other circumstance, this would be a typical case of a young child being caught in between divorcing parents in a custody battle, but in this case, Rana’s statements to the press (“Over here you are free, over there we get racial abuse… it’s fun, it’s wicked here.”) and her mother’s insistence that she was forcibly taken have brought to light the approximately 400 disputes per year involving British children ending up in Pakistan, willingly or not. The case puts to the test a 2003 agreement between the UK and Pakistan to jointly resolve such issues.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary John Reid visited East London Muslims, telling them that they should watch their children for signs of extremism. Though Muslim leaders haven’t disagreed with such a principle, the singling out of Muslims was too much for some (the murder since of a man in East London by youths will likely get no similar treatment). He was shouted down by Abu Izzadeen, a well known extremist (he called the 7/7 bombers “completely praiseworthy“) who infiltrated the gathering despite tight security, and was later invited to comment on the BBC as mainstream Muslim groups looked on in astonishment.

Then there was the case of Constable Alexander Omar Basha who, during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict this summer, requested not to be stationed at his post guarding the Israeli embassy (he is of Lebanese descent). His superiors consented, calling it a “welfare issue,” as the officer was concerned for his relatives in Lebanon if it was known he was guarding the embassy. Much was made of the incident as an issue of political correctness, though the officer has since returned to his diplomatic post and his superiors noted that “if an incident happens at the Israeli embassy, he will deal with it.”

Finally, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw chipped in with his advice to Muslim visitor’s to his practice to remove their face veils. Straw’s comments caused considerable debate among Muslims and non-Muslims, who both agreed and disagreed with his sentiments. But again, it was the tone and context of the comments that rankled some (political expediency may have a part to play).

In all of these cases, there are real and theoretical parallels with non-Muslims (domestic disputes or “risk assessments” in the police case). What they also have in common is that, contrary to public perception, these debates have not been initiated by Muslims (most of whom have more important things to tend to this month). Rana’s mother, the Police, John Reid and Jack Straw all made public what could have been private consultations with Muslim leaders and individuals. And as usual, the more extreme comments or spokespeople are singled out for media attention.

The resulting tone of the discussions has been seen by many as confrontational and counterproductive, and the sensationalism could manifest themselves in other ways. This month, a Quran has been defaced in a prison, a Muslim-owned dairy has been firebombed, and a pig’s head thrown in a Newport mosque during tarawih night prayers – while at the same time two non-Muslim men linked with the BNP have been caught with the largest haul of chemical explosives ever found in the UK. But sadly, these controversies almost never make the front page.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com. He is based in London, England.