Let’s play “Spot the Difference.” Here are some beliefs held by dangerous Islamist extremists:
∙ Islam is the one true faith and should tolerate no competition or criticism.
∙ Muslims who abandon their faith should be executed.
∙ Anyone who insults the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) should be executed.
∙ Homosexuality is an abomination and homosexuals should be executed.
∙ Jews are malevolent Islamophobes who want to rule the world.
∙ Men are masters over women and must keep them firmly in their place.
∙ Muslims are superior to non-Muslims and may exploit them as they see fit.
And here are some beliefs held by moderate mainstream Muslims:
∙ Islam is the one true faith and should tolerate no competition or criticism.
∙ Muslims who abandon their faith should be executed.
∙ Anyone who insults the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) should be executed.
∙ Homosexuality is an abomination and homosexuals should be executed.
∙ Jews are malevolent Islamophobes who want to rule the world.
∙ Men are masters over women and must keep them firmly in their place.
∙ Muslims are superior to non-Muslims and may exploit them as they see fit.
Can you spot any differences? Me neither. The beliefs of Islamist extremists look identical to the beliefs of mainstream Muslims. But British politicians have to pretend otherwise. David Cameron has just made a speech about countering the “extremism” that threatens the vibrancy of Brave New Britain. Here he is describing the United Kommunity:
Over generations, we have built something extraordinary in Britain – a successful multi-racial, multi-faith democracy. It’s open, diverse, welcoming – these characteristics are as British as queuing and talking about the weather. It is here in Britain where different people, from different backgrounds, who follow different religions and different customs don’t just rub alongside each other but are relatives and friends; husbands, wives, cousins, neighbours and colleagues. (David Cameron’s speech on counter-extremism, 20th July 2015)
That was the fantasy. Later in the speech Cameron contradicted himself by admitting the reality:
Indeed, there is a danger in some of our communities that you can go your whole life and have little to do with people from other faiths and backgrounds. … It cannot be right, for example, that people can grow up and go to school and hardly ever come into meaningful contact with people from other backgrounds and faiths. That doesn’t foster a sense of shared belonging and understanding – it can drive people apart. … Areas of cities and towns like Bradford or Oldham [heavily enriched with Muslims] continue to be some of the most segregated parts of our country. (David Cameron’s speech)
So first Cameron claims that we’ve built “a successful multi-racial, multi-faith democracy”, then he admits that in some “communities … you can go your whole life and have little to do with people from other faiths and backgrounds.” That’s a funny kind of success, isn’t it? Read more