Muslim Apathy

There has been widespread distrust of the Government, particularly among Muslim voters who were deeply affected by the so called 'war on terror'. The mooted BNP breakthrough might well be fuelled by those frustrated with Mr. Cameron’s new moderate stance on the asylum issue or the ‘politics of fear’ played by the New Labour government since September 2001. All this is probably amplified by the fact that this has all been amplified by a general dissatisfaction with mainstream political parties. We have therefore as a result, witnessed historical low election turnouts in recent years. According to the Electoral Commission, turnout of voters with Pakistani heritage is one of the lowest. The sad fact is that they do hold the voting power to make a statement or judge a policy. The biggest boost or help the BNP receive is from Muslims who cannot even be bothered to go down to their local school to cast a vote. We have long neglected the use of voting but we must realise that to push an agenda forward or to lobby an MP, we need leverage - and that leverage comes solely from votes. Turnout in General Elections is low but the turnout in Local Elections is simply pathetic. In such an atmosphere, fringe protest groups such as the UKIP and the BNP have benefited, particularly in the West Midlands.

We must encourage Muslims and help them to realise the importance of casting a vote. Just by voting, we can lessen the chance and even prevent the BNP slipping into a seat because of poor voter turnout on Thursday. The main areas of threat include Barking and Dagenham in London where the BNP is fielding 13 candidates and the West Midlands, especially Birmingham - where Alhamdulillah, there are sizeable Muslim numbers. In some seats, 100 votes either way could help the BNP get in and, in these areas, turnout is everything.

Of course, if the BNP is not standing in your area your vote still matters. How Britain’s Muslims vote and what it will achieve differs from constituency to constituency and from candidate to candidate. At best, tactical voting to elect a particular candidate will increase some good towards Muslims and maybe even remove and punish a candidate that has caused harm. Since the vast majority (typically over 70% in some areas) of people who traditionally cast votes in an election are aged over 40, the vote for the 18-40 age group is increasingly a deciding factor in elections and parties are realising the increased empowerment and political awareness of young Muslims as increasingly important.

Still Not Convinced?

With regard to the upcoming elections in the UK, Muslims are recommended or even obliged to vote for the party who will be of most benefit on a local level. However, despite such obvious threats, Muslims are still quarrelling over the "issue" of voting. Many are adamant that it is a Kufr and Haraam act. However, in May 2004 (before the crucial national elections), Sheikh Haytham Al-Haddad of the Al-Muntada Al-Islami Centre in London amongst many other world renowned Scholars, issued a fatwa in support of voting in British elections. His fatwa, titled ‘Why Vote, and Who To Vote For’ essentially stated that voting for a candidate or party that rules according to man-made law does not necessitate approval or acceptance of this candidate’s or party’s methods. Therefore, if a Muslim votes for such a candidate with the intention of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil and not because s/he believes that this candidate’s party legislates equal to or better than the Shariah, then s/he is not committing an act of Kufr. Obviously, if a Muslim votes believing that the legislation of a particular party is better than or equal to the Shariah, then s/he is committing kufr.

It is clearly evident to any Muslim who possesses a basic understanding of Islam that the greatest and most important aim of Islamic law is the deterrence of evil or the reduction of harm and the attainment of good or its increase. The establishment of a harmonious and successful way of life depends upon this principle. This is why the Islamic law - that is, the law of Allah - is never contrary to the basic needs of humanity, or establishes anything in contradiction to sound logic. Subsequently, it is an obligation upon every Muslim to achieve this aim, whether in part or in its totality. However, it is apparent that it is virtually impossible to attain this objective in its absolute sense, in the majority of cases; yet, in spite of this, Muslims must endeavour to carry out the necessary means that enable them to achieve this objective. Based on this, it is obligatory for those Muslims living under the shadow of man-made law to take all the necessary steps and means to strive to minimise the bad and maximise the good.

Voting Equals Muslim Empowerment

Voters switching to the BNP from the Tories or Labour should not mean that Mr Cameron is frightened back into the asylum-seeker baiting of the last two general election campaigns. The country is far better off with a more tolerant Tory party, rather than one that is prepared to pander to such distasteful attitudes. As for the Government, it should not interpret BNP gains as a cue to get "tougher" on immigration. A knee jerk reaction would only concede to the BNP that it has a point and that its foul deceits have some basis in truth. All civilized political parties should be falling over themselves to make it clear that the very opposite is the case.

It will be regrettable if the BNP, a hateful and malicious organisation, does well in Barking or anywhere else in the country in this month’s election. It will also be an example of how apathetic Muslim voters have become - they would not even consider voting when it directly affects them.

Given below is a suggested 3-Point Action Plan for Britain’s Muslims for this election:

1. Find out if the BNP is standing in you area - Tipton, Birmingham, Burnley, Barking and Dagenham, Huddersfield and many more (60 plus council wards...) - If they are, vote them out - and get all your friends and family to do the same.

2. If you are still unsure about the Islamic legality of voting, read the fatwa of Shaikh Haytham Al-Haddad (Google search for ‘Why Vote Haytham’) or speak to your local Imam who will surely justify voting to promote the betterment of our society. If you are still not convinced, then it is unjust to impose your opinion on other Muslims or pressure them against voting.

3. Compile a list of the phone numbers and addresses of every over-18 you know in your constituency (including mums, dads, sisters, housewives etc.). Contact them now to urge them to vote for the recommended candidate, explain to them why and how to vote. Offer your help on the day to take them to their polling station.

Voting tactically on 4th May 2006 will not change the world but, if successful, at least it will show that we are exercising our given right and part-taking in an activity we feel will bring a change for good. So let's get voting and used to this fact so come the next General Election we use the opportunity to vote tactically and elect the candidates we want.

We ask Allah to guide us to the right path.