‘Muslim’. Now there is a word. Seldom does it fail to solicit reaction and opinion. They say we make good stories for the newspapers and that the media loves us. They are right of course. But it seems to be for the wrong reasons. The truth is that for far too long we have let others dictate and impose the meaning of the word ‘Muslim’. This has meant that we were forced to live the way others wanted or expected us to. Those that refused were labelled improper or bad Muslims. The rest just wanted to exist quietly and adopted the ‘sit back and let somebody else speak for us’ secretly praying of course, that others would say the things that we were feeling or thinking but were too afraid to vocalise.
But that was then. And this is now. Gradually, and quite rightly, things are changing. They have to and without fail because we are living in troubled times and this we can ignore no longer. That is why it was a breath of fresh air when I came across an article about a new progressive organisation being set-up to challenge the perception of British Muslims, empowering them through civic engagement in the democratic process, an organisation echoing social inclusion at all levels irrespective to background, lifestyle, practise and manner in which they defined themselves as Muslim.
This is an organisation bringing together under one diverse umbrella, the British voices of a whole array of sub-groups; the cultural, the professional, the working class, the devout, the moderate, the secular, dare I mention the unconventional?
As a Linguist, I find the concept of the secular Muslim to be particularly interesting. Most Muslims are confused or find it discomforting to see these words exist alongside each other, because for some, as an Arab journalist who describes himself as a secular Muslim reminded me, there can be a very fine line between secularism and atheism. Maybe that is why ‘British Muslims for Secular Democracy’ as an organisation, has its share of objections, because of the fact that the words Muslim and Secular appear in the same line? It is mistakenly assumed that there simply cannot be British citizens out there, defining themselves as just ‘Muslims’ who believe that the individual’s faith is a private matter, and that the state should remain neutral with regards to matters of belief. Where no one is supported and where no one is admonished but where every one has the right to freedom of choice and inquiry and where every one has the right to not have that freedom of choice or inquiry limited by the beliefs of others.
Its pretty simple really. Its just words that complicate it.
“The writer’s forthcoming book “Catch a Fish from the Sea (Using the Internet)” published by Greenbirds, is due for release Autumn 2007”
Comments
© SharqMagazine.com