Widely vilified in the media, regularly castigated by politicians, their homes raided and their youth frequently stopped & searched by the police the Muslims in Britain have a lot to be aggrieved about. However, recent events have laid bare the true reality of all these accusers while the dignity of the Muslims has been exemplified.
Twenty thousand Muslims attended the dignified funerals of the three Muslim men – Haroon, Shazad and Abdul Musavir – run over in Birmingham during the riots when they were defending their community. These were Muslims men and women from across the country, all backgrounds and various schools of thought offering prayers for the deceased and paying respect to their families. They were not vengeful or intolerant as usually portrayed by the media and politicians.
Living in some of the most deprived communities in the country Muslims have suffered disproportionately in these hard times. While the society around them falls apart from social decay the Muslims have shown true Islamic character and have been an inspiration to many – Muslims and non-Muslims. With strong personal Islamic morals, deep family ties and a determining care for the community in which they live which emanates from their faith the Muslims have been a beacon of light.
At a time when some in the media, in true Machiavellian style, have been keen to stoke the flames of racial hatred the Muslims, while being victims, have had a positive effect with a calming influence not just in Birmingham but more widely across the country as people have been glued to their television screens saddened and angered by the riots.
The recent riots are said to have scared the international image of Britain. Greater long term damage has however been done by unscrupulous journalists, deceitful politicians and corrupt police defining the moral abyss that is modern Britain. In contrast Muslims have shown true Islamic character and have been an example for the wider society.
