Efforts to curb politicised Islam backfiring
January 30th, 2007 at 10:34 am by David FarrarAn interesting report on a study which concluded that “Attempts by the British Government to combat the growth of Islamic extremism among a minority of young Muslims are making the situation worse”.
I thought the statement:
“Government policies to improve engagement with Muslims make things worse,” the report’s lead author Munira Mirza said. “The Government should stop emphasising difference and engage with Muslims as citizens, not through their religious identity.”
was perceptive.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
“The Government should stop emphasising difference and engage with Muslims as citizens, not through their religious identity.”
True of Muslims or any minority cultural/ racial selected group. You could say the same about ‘Maori’ in New Zealand. Why treat any race culture or religion “differently”?
Vote:January 30th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
*sigh*
I wonder how this thread is going to turn out…..
Vote:January 30th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
(Broad generalisation follows based only on media quotes seen and heard so could be wrong but I think worth discussing)
It appears that there is a significant group of Muslims who view themselves as Muslims first and foremost before their citizenship, which I don’t think we in NZ always recognise. That positions them quite differently from most others with strong religious beliefs such as Xtians, bhuddists and possibly Hindus (though they are mostly indian so that muddies things). AS this report shows, that provides significant challenges for the modern ‘democratic western’ state made up of many ‘nations’ (as opposed to the old nation state). As Maori are of NZ and NZ only, their interests should be as close to the state’s as any other group of citizens.
If that state relies upon the loyalty of its citizens as citizens first, it is going to have trouble engaging with people who put that second to a higher religious loyalty that transcends national boundaries, especially if that group is large and it tries to defer to or placate those beliefs in an attempt to not rock the boat.
While the french assimilation model is much criticised, it still seems the best model to integrate populations of increasing diversity that we are experiencing in NZ. (it is the way it has been implemented that appears to be the issue – equality of opportunity has not accompanied assimilation.)
Deferring to or placating religious beliefs that put that belief above all, and saying it is valid in the modern world is going to be self defeating as it encourages a group that challenges the primacy of the state and its laws.
We need to promote civic education for all young NZers and new NZers and create the understanding of what we value and expect in our society.
I would add that that needs to be balanced and not promote supremacist nationalism that seems to be an increasing feature of US life.
Vote:January 30th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Yeah….let’s pretend.
Vote:January 30th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Ever heard of the expression Live and let Live Or the one Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Some of us have no problem with treating life as a two way street. Some particularly the fundies of some faiths treat it as a one way street Their way or the highway.
Vote:January 30th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Anyone who thinks that it’s an extreme fringe at work and that there’s a silent majority of moderate muslims ought to see what they preach at one of Britains leading “moderate mosques”. This is the mosque the government usually turns to for consultation on muslim issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peFQWuk4nuo
( click “more from this user” to see the other parts )
Vote:January 30th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Democracy’s a wonderful thing.
It allows for referenda.
On…oh I dunno, what about seeing whether the NZ population wants further muzzie immigration.
Perhaps there is a majority that thinks we have enough muzzies. Perhaps not. I might be wrong.
But I forgot…there are some decisions just too important for the people to make directly.
Vote:Imagine Hulun’s embarrassment.
January 30th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Fred, you should be careful with your layout style – at first glance I thought it was one of Phool’s comments and was going to skip it but then I noticed you can use capital letters.
Vote:January 30th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
“The Government should stop emphasising difference and engage with Muslims as citizens, not through their religious identity.”
Yeah Right!,but when their so called religion threatens an entire nation!, muslim youth needs to be put in its place by brute force, its all they will understand, words are useless to these savage crazed dogs and they thrive on violence and blood, and frankly muslims should NOT be in western nations if they cannot conform.
This is what we are up against:
Quran [5.33] The punishment of those (UNBELIEVERS) who wage war against Allah and His apostle and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that ***they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides***
This is a problem all western nations will have to deal with in the very near future.
Vote:January 30th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Phool is a referenda type of guy?
Vote:Good.
Must’nt be a leftist.
January 31st, 2007 at 12:48 am
Is it a full moon tonight?
The crazies certainly seem to be out in force anyway.
Nice bit of dog whistling DPF, it has certainly brought them out.
Vote:January 31st, 2007 at 7:01 am
Sonic you can put your fingers in your ears and call people names as long as you want, but it doesn’t change reality one iota. Go and look at the youtube link above and see what ‘moderate’ islam is preaching. This is reality, not your dreamworld.
Vote:January 31st, 2007 at 2:09 pm
“Sonic you can put your fingers in your ears and call people names as long as you want”
Can I! how kind.
Vote:January 31st, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Typically feeble non-response from Sonic there. Have you watched the video showing what the “moderates” preach amongst themselves when they think the cameras are off ? Didn’t think so. You will just carry on being a good little dhimmi and keep accepting the PR campaign they present to the kufr media.
Vote:January 31st, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Yes that’s right put it away, the evil muslims are planning to get together and murder us all in our beds, and then we will all have to wear burkas and pray 100 time to mecca every day while being stoned to death with Halal meat.
And you know what, when you tell people that they think you are mad.
It is a crazy world, won’t anyone think of the children?
Vote:January 31st, 2007 at 8:20 pm
hah, you must have watched the video because that’s pretty much the plan, straight from the preachers mouth
Vote: