Britain's Muslims Take Tough Line on Militants [UK Muslim elected to Parliment takes a hard line]

The NY Times ^ | Aug 11, 2005 | HASSAN M. FATTAH

[summer]

Shahid Malik, the lone British-born Muslim in Parliament, tells Muslims in Britain, "The extremism in our community is now our problem."

DEWSBURY, England - The 100 or so Muslim community leaders who gathered recently at the Taleem Community Center in this northern town no doubt knew Shahid Malik - one of the country's four Muslim members of Parliament - would take a strong line....Mr. Malik, who represents Dewsbury in Parliament and is the only British-born Muslim in Parliament, had come to tell Muslims at mosques and community centers here of the harsh new reality they faced.

"The extremism in our community," he told the Taleem audience, "is now our problem."

After the July 7 bombings and the attempts two weeks later, Muslim leaders in Britain are taking a harshly critical position against long-entrenched militant Islamists.

Many leaders want the police to deal with the agitators and pamphleteers, who were kicked out of mosques long ago but who nonetheless have legal rights to continue to spread their views....

As he makes his rounds in Parliament, on Downing Street and in Dewsbury, Mr. Malik is honing the image of a modern leader for the Muslim population, someone who looks and feels every bit English, is keenly tied to Muslim roots, but will no longer tolerate those with militant views speaking for Muslims....

"I can assure you that some measures will come in that may make things difficult for Muslims," Mr. Malik told the community leaders late one evening. "But I keep telling Muslims, 'Why are you worried? The extremists are the people who have done us more damage than any white supremacist could ever do.' "

[summer]

Wow. I had no idea a person such as this even existed in England: a British born Muslim elected to Parliment, and taking a very hard stance against the extremists/terrorists.

[summer]

Have you ever heard of this guy?

[Archon of the East]

I hear him talking but is anyone really listening?

[summer]

Well, it's certainly a start. At least he sounds like he has a clue, which is more than what happens with some politicos. Remember Spain?

[George W. Bush]

I'm just wondering why American Muslims haven't done more to expel the radical elements.

Looks like the Brits are serious and the Muslims don't want their radicals spoiling a good thing for them.

I think we in the colonies could use a little of that too.

[Archon of the East]

I hope so, but I will let actions speak for themselves to see if the Islam will come forth. But your right all things must have a beginning.

[varyouga]

If I was him, I'd watch my back. He's considered worse than an "infidel" to these animals.

[sionnsar]

I'm just wondering why American Muslims haven't done more to expel the radical elements.

The reaction here hasn't been as harsh. Let them pull a London Underground-style event here and I'll bet you'll see a difference.

[McGavin999]

The reason "we in the colonies" have a bit of a problem is because of that whole first amendment thingy. Even the Brits have been talking about how much easier they have it than the US because the US is constrained by the constitution. The only way we over-ride that is either get rid of the first amendment, or declare martial law and that would only happen if we get hit again.

[hardworking]

OK, so what does this guy's wife look like? Is she covered head to toe in some blanket? What about his kids? Where do they go to school and if he has a daughter does she wear a headscarf? I would like to know just how 'assimilated' he is in reality before I climb on board his band wagon.

[GladesGuru]

As one apt tag line suggests by implication, have a recreational, non-commercial season for the hunting of Whabbats. Just be vewy, vewy quiet while hunting Whabbats. ;-)

[Iscool]

2 million muzlims in Britain and 1 speaks out...Hey, ya gotta start somewhere...But then again, bin Laden at one time denied having anything to do with 9/11...

[kalee]

Isn't that an interesting caption for the picture that accompanies this article?
Somehow, I don't think those white haired grandmas are moslem,
I wonder what he was telling them?

[Pikamax]

I think he also spoke out last year but was dismissed as a Muslim Uncle Tom.

[summer]

Yeah, I had the same thought about that photo and caption!

[Tench_Coxe]

"Wow. I had no idea a person such as this even existed in England: a British born Muslim elected to Parliment, and taking a very hard stance against the extremists/terrorists."

I think this has more to do with the anger in the rest of the population and the steps the British government appears to be taking, rather than an act of conscience.

[summer]

Yes, but this one is urging the UK to deport certain Muslim "leaders."

[summer]

I don't know. Maybe he really believes these extremists/terrorists are harmful to everyone.

[AmishDude]

"The extremism in our community is now our problem."

Of all of the thousands of things Muslims have said since 9/11, this is the first time I have heard this.

[summer]

Same here.