Voiceless Community
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By Mohammed Elsharif
The majority of the British Muslims, including those of refugee’s background feels misrepresented by the media, isolated and voiceless in politics and widely neglected when it comes to the decision making process.
Commemorating Bristol celebration of the refugee week and introducing his new book (Only half of me being a Muslim in Britain) at the Central Library, the prominent former BBC journalist of Somali origin Rageh Omaar emphasises that being a Muslim and British is compatible and practically visible all around the UK.
These remark supported by the recent research conducted by Pew Research Centre in the US { How Westerners and Muslims View Each Other} which prove that 63% of non-Muslims British who took part in the research are positive towards Muslims. This poll reflects the fact that hundred of thousands of British Muslims are playing a crucial role -hand in hand with their fellow citizens- in the advancement of the UK society and the warfare of its citizens either being entrepreneurs, professionals (Doctors, Scientists and lecturers) or casual workers. The research in contrary to those who advocate that preserving own identity and cultural values hinder full integration re-enforces these argument and shows that 72% of non-Muslim French participants –with the largest Muslim community in the West- has said that there is no conflict in observing ones values and beliefs as a Muslim and live in a Europe.
The social and economical integration and contribution of those people is a clear indication that Muslims are part and parcel of the society. In school, workplace and leisure premises the presence of the Muslim community is indisputable and welcomed however the voice of those hardworking, peaceful citizens who see themselves as a genuine part of the UK social fabric is rarely to be heard.
The responsibility of making a platform for this sector of the community lays on both the mainstream political and media institutions which must give the silent hardworking Muslim majority- who love and care for this country as any one else-a fair and an accurate media coverage free of xenophobia and story-typing, provide them with an equal voice and making sure that members of this part of the community are equally represented in the political process and decision making mechanisms.
The responsibility also lays on the Muslims themselves as they must exert the efforts to fully engage and integrate at all levels from school governing bodies, parent associations to the political and democratic institutions. It is the time for this majority to speak out as the absence of such sincere voice is a lost for the whole community and only plays into the hands of extremists and racists.
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