MPACUK is arguably one of the most influential Muslim groups in Britain today, and are spearheading Muslim thinking in this country. Here MPACUK keeps to that pioneering spirit by unveiling what we call “The Rational Centre.”

Muslim leaders are instrumental in shaping the way young Muslims see their role in Britain and how they fit into society.

Since the attacks on 7/7, Muslims have come under fire from sections of the Media and members of Parliament who seemed to point to Muslims as some sort of “other”, not really “British”, a people that had to be spied upon, a fifth column in their midst.

Muslims as a whole reacted poorly to this assault. There were a number of tactical reasons for this, Muslim leaders both within the mosques and student Islamic Societies were not ready to deal with crisis due  mainly to the despotic way they were chosen to lead, based not on merit but 'connections'. There was however also a deeper malaise.

There were psychological reasons too. Muslims were caught in a trap. The Iraq war and many other foreign policies (chiefly Palestine) went against the Islamic ideal that people should be able to live free from oppression and that it was a duty upon a people who believed in God to challenge the oppressor.

This internal conflict between allegiance to a state and their own conscience confused Muslims and had two adverse effects upon them.

Some held true to their conscience and denounced Britain vociferously. To them Britain was an oppressive state, that killed and oppressed people around the world and that made the state so evil that it had to be stopped. A tiny minority even went further saying that if that meant some were going to use the methods that Britain itself used on others (violence) then so be it. Most however would simply harbour an anti-British feeling and verbally condemn Britain for its actions. All were aggrieved at what they perceived as real injustice and would argue that something had to be done; they had to stop the oppression of the innocent.

Due to poor integration and lack of civic education originating from (mainly immigrant) parents not capable of explaining to young Muslims any understanding of how Britain worked. Young Muslims saw Britain as a uniform whole, one block. Without knowledge of the complexities of a democratic society to them there was no difference between the army, politicians and the man on the street. They didn’t know the difference between decision makers and the public, because they were not taught how British society actually works.

Attacks by segments of the Media (who they perceived as the same as the Government) added to the feeling that “they hate us”.

Some sections of the media after 7/7 denounced those that rallied against Britain’s foreign policy, as fanatical enemies of the state, ideologically driven by hate to hate. Simplifying their frustrations and over- blowing Muslim rhetoric created "bogeymen."

Members of Parliament and sections of the Media often pushed the simple equation “you're either with us or against us".

This created a mental stumbling block for the Muslim masses. Since most if not all Muslims were aggrieved at the oppression of others due in part to Britain's inhumane foreign policy. Muslims felt trapped between what pillars of the state were demanding of them and something they simply could not agree with. This was a further factor in confusing their identity.

“Too Muslim and not British enough”

People who spoke out against Britain’s policies were seen as “Too Muslim and not British enough” by segments of the press and Government.

Some "Muslims Leaders" in an attempt to portray themselves as moderates simply agreed with the Government stand or calculatedly refused to talk about the issues troubling the community, choosing “soft topics” to focus the Muslim mind. Inevitably they were seen as “out of touch” or worse “puppets” and “sell outs”; losing the support of the masses.

More “Uncle Tom” than Muslim

They were seen as more “Uncle Tom than Muslim” by Muslims on the street and “more British than Muslim.” Even here it is still a concept of you were one or the other.

The failure of Muslim Leaders in creating a positive British identity for Muslims cannot be over stated. The masses look to leaders to direct them when things are going wrong. Without leaders of any real calibre the masses were rudderless in unforgiving rough seas.

This splitting of our identity was a real cause for concern and in MPACUK’s opinion led partly to the attacks by British Muslims on the British public.

Many young Muslims don’t really know who they are? Are we British or Muslim?

It is with this background that MPACUK set out to create a middle way that would bridge the divide and give young Muslims an identity that was in harmony with both their ideals and their responsibility as citizens of Britain.

Could We Be British & Muslim?

MPACUK believe the answer is a simple – yes. We have set about to create a new “Rational Centre” and feel if we are going to play an active part in Britain’s future we had to come to grips with who we are.

MPACUK, and a small band of other intellectuals creating similar concepts independently have started to come forward, but the masses would only adopt this if it was taught en masse through the many Islamic institutions in Britain. In Britain today a tiny minority of Muslims are aware of this much needed “Rational Centre” identity. Leaving a crisis of identity in young Muslim minds is a recipe for disaster and alienation.

How?

To implement the "Rational Centre" concept, Mosque leaders and student Islamic Societies must get involved and teach this rational argument for our identity to young Muslims. MPACUK is more then willing to attend any education centre, Mosque or talk to expand upon this and even aid in teaching it to young Muslims. We urge Muslim leaders then to adopt some of the following points and add it to Their Curriculum:

The Curriculum

Muslims should be taught that our ideals are really not alien to the British way of life. In fact most British non-Muslims would agree with our stand on many of the issues we feel aggrieved about. There may be differences in opinion on some matters, but no two citizens agree on everything.

If a young British Muslim is angry about oppression and feels this justifies anger at Britain it simply means s/he does not understand how Britain works or what it means to be British. All British people do not feel what the Government is doing is always right (2 million of them marched against the Iraq war dwarfing the amount of Muslim marchers). One can disagree with the Government stand on an issue and still be entitled to your opinion and be just as British as your neighbour. They are not robots; they are people with differing opinions. Muslim leaders must teach Muslims that citizenship is not a rubber stamp for oppressive policies. We are not living in a Police State!

If a Muslim wishes to act to stop an injustice, he must be taught how! Failure to do this leads to Muslims often taking extreme action. Again the Muslim leadership should teach young Muslims how to effect change in a Democracy. Britain is not a homogenous whole where all people agree to block bomb and oppress others. It’s a few men who make policy; teach young Muslims how to democratically effect change in these key areas, without the need for violence. Democracy has valves when people disagree strongly. By failing to teach angry masses where those valves are, this aids and cultivates extremists. Muslim leaders must shoulder the majority of the blame for terrorist attacks in Britain, they failed to reach out to the young and teach them how to change the world they feel passionately about - peacefully.

Muslims need to understand that those who wish to paint them as an alien not really as British only stand to gain if they fall into their trap and react and start to feel like they are outsiders. Remember you are no less British if you disagree with something; you are more British because you care enough about Britain to want to make it a just and fair place for all. Never allow others to take your identity way.

Lastly we should be taught by our leaders to really involve and immerse ourselves in British society at all levels. Serving the community we live in. We cannot and should not live in a ghetto like state of mind, where we do not mix and partake in Britain’s future; this is abhorrent to any man or woman who truly believes in Islam. We must be taught genuinely and deeply to care for this country as it is now our own. Not to benefit Muslims alone like parasites but all people of this state as the many non-Muslims who look out for you – without judging you. Some men are bound to do evil in all countries in the world, and some will do good.

The actions of the few cannot determine whether you apply yourself to better the country you live in for the betterment of all nor should it stop you from loving the good you have worked hard to create within the society you live in.

We Muslims are British. And we at MPACUK are determined to make Britain the most Just and Truth based society in the world today. We believe we can make Britain a moral country, which does not believe in the oppression of others as justifiable, but leads the world as a light of humanity.

If we as Muslims abandon Britain, consciously or subconsciously we have abandoned what could one be the most important battles for good and evil in the world today. The soul of Britain is not evil, a few men have waylaid it, it is up to us to bring it back and take it further towards good that all right minded men recognise.

For more information or if you are Muslim leader wanting to teach others about the middle way call MPACUK on: 0870 760 5594 or info@mpacuk.org

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