Feeling British Won’t Save You

A new report from the University of Essex’s Institute for Social and Economic Research has found that ethnic minorities in the UK feel most British. Furthermore, it reports that Muslims in particular were likely to say being British is important.

This is indeed a pie in the face to all those that claim Muslims do not try to integrate and that Muslims are exclusive. Surely, the fact that Muslims claim being British is an essential part of their identity proves that we feel a part of Britain. Another survey showed that 83% of Muslims are proud to be British.

Despite these findings, those who peddle hatred towards Islam and Muslims will not cease just because of these statistics. Sadly, being culturally integrated is not sufficient to stop the Islamophobia and the unjust wars in the lands of Muslims.

Take the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as an example; he was an Arab just like any other and technically, he was integrated into society. The very fact he came with the statement of tawheed (monotheism) produced enemies who were oppressive, and influential characters and integration within the society did not stop the oppression.

Now take a modern example; the Bosnian genocide that occurred between 1991-1995 had horrific episodes, such as that in Srebrenica. The people living in the former Yugoslavia had similar languages, dress and in many ways shared the same culture. The society that resided there had been made over many centuries. Unfortunately, this cultural integration did not stop Milosevic and other terrorists from commanding genocide upon the Bosnians.

The purpose of this article is not to deter Muslims from becoming integrated, but rather to make them aware that for simply advocating the truth, one is automatically at risk from those who seek to oppress those who speak and spread the truth.