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Issue 268, Friday 26 August 2011 - 26 Ramadan 1432

Hail Muslims for their response to riots

The outbreak of the worst rioting in England in living memories was sudden and largely unexpected. The reasons were complex and eventually produced the expected police clampdown once ministers returned. But if anything positive could be taken from the violent disturbances and looting, it was the reaction and role taken by Muslims in preventing further riots and working with other communities to protect properties. Through the darkness of the riots shone the humanity of some Muslims.

Tariq Jahan, father of one of the three Muslim victims, Haroon, 21, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, who were killed in a hit-and-run incident in Birmingham during the riots defending properties, made Muslims proud. At the time there was a fear that he and members of the Ali and Abdul Musavir families would call for revenge for the murders and this would lead to racial war as the alleged perpetrators were thought to be black. However, by Jahan responding in a compassionate and dignified way, he contained the anger of the community by calling for calm. He chose to show real leadership at a time when the fire of rioting could have easily been further inflamed. He refused to blame anyone. “I don’t blame the police. I don’t blame anybody. I am a Muslim. I believe in divine destiny and it was his destiny and his fate and now he has gone. And may Allah forgive him and bless him,” is what he told the crowd. The distraught father described what he did as he reached the place of accident. He did not know his son was one of the victims. “I started CPR on my own son, my face was covered in blood, hands were covered in blood. Why, why? I don’t understand. He was trying to protect his community and he was killed,” he said emotionally, adding, “I lost my son. Blacks, whites – we all live in the same community, why do we have to kill one another. Why are we doing this? Step forward if you want to lose your sons. Otherwise calm down and go home, please.” To the community the grieving father urged: “Today we stand here to plead with all the youth to remain calm, for our communities to remain calm, for our communities to stand united.”

Jahan’s courageous words were decisive and “were so powerful, so heartfelt and so spontaneous and generous that I think anyone that heard them must have been moved” said Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police, Chris Sims.

Prime Minister, David Cameron, paid tribute by saying he was “impressed by the brave words of Jahan.” “He is the true face of Britain - the Britain we are proud of,” said Labour Leader Ed Miliband.

Another Muslim hero was 20-year-old Malaysian student Asyraf Haziq Rosli, whose videotaped mugging in east London became another defining image of the rioting. Despite his ordeal including suffering a broken jaw and losing some teeth, he was magnanimous in saying that he felt sorry for his attackers and still felt great about Britain. He said he would finish his studies in Britain despite his negative experience.

There were also many other examples of Muslims responding in a real community spirit, joining people of faiths and no faith coming together to protect their properties in the absence of the police and initiatives from political leaders. In Birmingham, on August 13, Sikhs guarded the mosques as Muslims were praying tarawih (night prayers prayed during Ramadan) and Muslims stood guard when the Sikhs were holding their prayers in Gurdwaras.

This was an opportune moment for the politicians and the media to have highlighted that the inspirational Johan who so eloquently calmed the situation and prevented further violence, was a Muslim. However, the word Muslim and Islam is only used negatively in our media and by our politicians. He was presented as an Asian. Nor was Asyraf Roslli’s religion mentioned – such magnanimity from him. The media and politicians only look at the Muslim community through the prism of terrorism.

Debates will continue as to why there was such wanton destruction and looting but this should also lead to much soul-searching about the display of such pent-up anger, apparently based on underlying social grievances and injustice.

Cameron has already admitted that Britain is a “broken society” with a huge wealth gap and few life opportunities for what is being called the “return of the under-class”. The overall context comes amid Government austerity measures following the collapse of the financial system and continuing uncertainty about recovery. Was some of the anger directed at the injustice of taxpayers having to foot the bill to save banks, which have escaped any serious regulation to mend their ways? And what of the examples of endemic corruption rooted in British institutions, MPs embroiled in the expenses scandal, multi-national companies involved in tax avoidance and police chiefs resigning over phone hacking implicated in receiving bribes and collusion with the media. Other role models like celebrities and footballers, fare no better with their wealth, greed and life-styles.

However, there are many in the community who can be role models like Johan and Rossli, for the younger generation. We need to promote them. They may not be rich or celebrities but they are inspirational and full of wisdom.

And it is hoped that Muslims are not only acknowledged but also praised for the positive role they played during the rioting.

Related Article:

Impact of riots on Muslims and Ramadan

25,000 mourn death of three Muslims murdered in Birmingham riots

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