I’m sick and tired of Muslims making a song and dance every time someone says a bad word about them. “Islam is crap” someone will say “Cut their heads off” so the Muslims will respond. “Kill everyone who insults Islam.”
Pretty ridiculous really; none of the other religions have such a knee jerk reaction to being offended. It sounds like a pretty hard case of insecurity to me. Why should they be so worried if people say a bad word about them? Are they so fragile that they must protect themselves so vehemently?
People who are insecure will react badly to any negative comment said about them, yet confident people will often not care whether someone likes them or not. If you have a house made out of straw, you will attack the person who throws a rock at it, since they might knock it down. If you have a castle made of stone, then someone can throw rocks at it all day long and you can sit inside and know they can never knock it down.
Muslims that react so aggressively to negative comments about their faith, behave like their house is made of straw.
In Britain, there is much controversy whenever anyone says anything about Muslims. Jack Straw stated recently that he would prefer it if women in his constituency did not wear veils, as it promotes separation and does not promote an open community. This simple suggestion was turned into a storm; partly by radical Muslims and partly by the sensationalist British media. Mr Straw’s comments are perfectly reasonable; they are not an indictment of Islam and they are not meant to persecute a minority group. Britain is a country built upon the Christian faith. It is true that much of Britain is now largely secular, however it is this fact that those of other faiths must concede. While we of the majority should not hold prejudice against the minority for their beliefs, we should ensure that our beliefs are still held as a priority. Those of a minority belief who wish to enjoy the benefits of living in a country where they do not believe as the majority do, must accept some concessions to their own beliefs in order to participate in society as whole. If Muslim people wish to live exactly as their faith teaches them, then they should move to a country where Islam is predominantly part of the culture. Where it is not here, they must accept certain aspects of culture that may be different to their own initial beliefs. Were I to go to an Islamic country, I would be expected to respect the cultural beliefs of that country. I would expect my girlfriend to dress modestly. I would not expect her to wear revealing clothing, simply because that is that is how it is done in our culture. So Muslims should not react so harshly when it is suggested that veils are not worn in our society; so we can ensure that everyone integrates into the general fabric of society as it exists.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I agree that when Rome you should try and do as the Romans do, however I would caution that their is a difference between Islam as a religion and what are the customs in Islamic countries, as they are not neccessarily derived from the religion.
For example in Egypt and Jordan women are allowed to work, drive cars and even the vexed veil is an issue of choice for women. Whereas in Saudi Arabia women's freedoms are much more limited, in fact a women should not leave her house without a male family member to 'guard' her from immodesty.
There is nothing in the Koran which bans women from working, driving or leaving the house unaccompanied by male relatives. Indeed the prophet himself, peace be upon him, was married to a woman of independent wealth and he was initailly her business manager before they got married. She was what we today would call an Alpha woman. Indeed Islam was one of the first religions to codify the rights of women to own property, inherit, maintain property independent of their husbands in a marriage.
None of which were available to Christian women, why until the 14th century widows of Knights and Nobles here in England (and other feudal states of Europe) were deemed the property of the King and could be sold by him into forced marriages.
Islam is practiced from the Atlantic coast of Morrocco right across to the southern islands of the philippines, it is practiced by peoples of myriad cultures from the all body covering Burka of Afghanistan to the frankly fashionable silken head scarves of the fashionable set in Beirut.
James assertion that it is people in a weak position who react the most is actually a valid one but it is not religious weakness that muslims in Britain suffer from but a social one. Where many of the first generation immigrants came from poor areas, with poor education and who struggled to adapt and provide for their families to second and third generations who are pulled between the traditional mores of their parents and grandparents home countries and the lures of avarice, lust and glutony in the secular life of western countries.
This is the weakness at the heart of Muslim communities that makes them so protective, until means are found to encourage all muslims to engage with mainstream society instead of being ghettoised into distinct communities cut off from main stream life, at the most extreme not even using the language of the host country in every day life we will always have tension over what makes us different, rather than the openess to celebrate those differences which actually have the power to enrich all our lifes.
Very well said Mr Cassley. As usual you have aticulated and conveyed your opinion clearly and accurately. I appreciate your knowledgable comments.
Post a Comment