Britishness

Britishness

What does it mean to be British? Why are we so obsessed with labelling everyone? I can’t really get to grips with this whole issue.

Ok. Let’s look at what the word British means according to the Oxford English Dictionary:

“The people native to or inhabiting Great Britain.”

“Of or relating to or characteristic of Great Britain or its people or culture; "his wife is British"

These are a couple of examples. The first is quite self explanatory. To be British one simply has to be an inhabitant of Britain. Not so difficult to understand. But then why all the propaganda in the media stating that Muslims don’t act British or feel British? What nonsense is this? I was born and raised in Manchester, by definition, does that not make me British? Not according to some.

The second definition is slightly more ambiguous. It speaks of the characteristics or culture of the people. Interesting! So it is the culture and characteristics of the British people that makes a person British. However, now I need to find out what that means. Having spoken to various work colleagues with regards to definitions, I am now even more confused.

The first guy said that he hates British culture; it’s all football yobs and binge drinking. I was shocked at his point of view as it was very similar to my own. Then a more middle class female began to speak about the character of the British. Reserved, polite, I said prudish but she disagreed. I agreed with her to an extent until she mentioned that the Brits are not like the American war-mongers. Ok, so the British are not as brash and vulgar but they still have the same ideals as the United Snakes of America. She then mentioned that British Imperialism is the route of the culture. That intrigued me and I mentioned colonialism. She agreed.

So, I guess, if you live in Britain and act like the British then that makes you British. Still doesn’t quite seem right. If I become an alcohol fuelled football hooligan does that make me more British? Maybe if I join the army and go to Iraq to fight my brothers and sisters then I would be considered as one of them. I’m sure that would make the government happy.

This is why we are being told to integrate. They want us to think like them and act like them. On the one hand, the booze drinking, hooligan is no threat to the government and on the other, the one who joins the army is with them. These are the two categories that we are being pushed towards if we want a peaceful life in this country. I just finished watching a speech by one of the nine men arrested in Birmingham. He has been released without charge.

Asked how he felt about being singled out he said: "It's a police state for Muslims.

"It's not a police state for everybody else because these terror laws are designed specifically for Muslims and that's quite an open fact," he added.

Now this statement is partly true. You see, it’s a police state for a certain type of Muslim. The Muslim who believes that everything we do in life is for Allah (swt) and that His ummah is one. This Muslim feels pain when his fellow brother is being oppressed and tortured and will speak out against tyranny. For this Muslim the UK most certainly feels as though it is a police state. I then found out from the BBC website that Abu Bakr (the released terror suspect) was studying for a PhD in Political Islam! It further proves my point that any Muslim who disagrees with UK foreign policy is a threat to this society according to the government.

Without sounding disrespectful, your average Muslim in the UK does not fall into this category. We are too caught up in this society to care about world affairs. That’s the way the system is designed. Go to work from nine to five Monday to Friday, pay your mortgage, pay your bills, watch some telly and go out on the weekend. What else is there? Those who fall into this category are no threat whatsoever. They are fully “integrated” into society. Our so-called Muslim councillors also fall into this category. They are so involved in this society; they believe that democracy is the solution to all their problems. Or maybe it’s just about the money and the power!! Regarding the statement made by Abu Bakr, Dewsbury councillor Shahid Malik stated

"I can understand Abu Bakr's anger and hurt but it definitely doesn't lead to the conclusion that we're in a police state.

"It's really important that people do remain patient and let justice take its course."

These people are British first and then Muslim. I consider myself a Muslim that was born and raised in Britain. They can label me with what they wish. We have to remember that we live by Islam. Islam has no borders and does not recognise colour or culture. If you believe that “there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah (swt) and Muhammad (pbuh) is His Messenger, then you belong to the ONE Ummah.

Islam is totally against concepts such as nationalism, patriotism and especially capitalism. This society is a secular society where man has the freedom to rule how he pleases, and the result is anarchy. I saw a statistic recently that 1 in 14 women in this country have been raped!!

Brothers and sisters do not get entangled in this ridiculous argument about whether we are British Muslim or Muslims in Britain. It will get us nowhere and more to the point it is not going to help our Ummah from liberation of occupation.