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Emails to the MCB on issues and concerns
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Page 195
12/06/2005
| Sue
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Hallo
I just heard a member of your organisation reading out some emails that you have received from my fellow countrymen.
I have to say that at that moment I felt ashamed to be English, and I feel compelled to email you firstly to apologise on behalf of the people who sent such hateful emails and secondly to reassure you that there are many of us who firmly believe that we should "live and let live" and that there can be no place in our world for racism. I really would like to make Dr Bronowski's essay on Knowledge and Certainty in the Ascent of Man compulsory viewing in all our schools.
Yours in peace
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| 12/06/2005 |
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I have just watched the t.v. programme entitled "Dont Panic I'm
Islamic". I was absolutely horrified to hear the e-mails which were
read out. I have to say that I now understand the grievances of Muslims
better than I did before. I was born in this country and consider myself
to be a Christian and I know the basic beliefs of Christianity and Islam
are very close. We both believe and want the same things. I just had
to write to you to say that not all white people hate Muslims just as
not all Muslims are terrorists.
It is an extremely small minority of
each which gives everyone a bad name. I have worked with and know many
Muslims and without exception they have been decent hard-working law
abiding people as are most Christians in this country. I feel I should
apologise for the ignorant people who sent those awful e-mails as they
are probably white. The Muslims have made this country a better place
and have helped to make the U.K. the diverse and colourful place it is
today. We need the expertise you have in many fields and your culture
enhances our lives.
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| 12/06/2005 |
| Jonathan
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Hello my fellow countrymen.
I have just been watching a programme on tv about muslims in Britain. I
want to say that I just can't understand why all people regardless of
religion and tradition can't respect each other. Muslims living in the
UK should respect a women who wants to wear sexy clothes and so should a
white person respect a muslim women who dresses traditionally. During
the Balkan conflict, I organised 2 aid missions to Bosnian muslims. I
found them to be the most friendly and welcoming people I have ever
met. Due to this experience, I am appalled at the way muslims are
portrayed in our so called free media. Incidentally, I am 37 and some
years ago I served in the RAF and conducted anti-terrorist activities in
Gibraltar during the first Gulf War.
Now I am studying for a MSc in
Psychology at Nottingham University, I have a lovely girlfriend who
works in London and yet my best friend at university is 24 yr. old
muslim girl....who'd have thought it. On the programme, some chap read
out some very offensive email from some ignorant English people. Well,
not all English people are that stupid. I am as English as they come,
white, protestant and I can trace my family history in England back to
the 1500s. Bearing all this in mind, I'd like to say that all law
abiding muslims are very welcome to England and I think England has a
lot to gain from muslims being here. I haven't met an English muslim
that I haven't liked yet. So, I am very proud to live in a multicultural
society and I for one would fight to protect it.
So I wish all English muslims good health, peace and prosperity.
God bless.
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| 12/06/2005 |
| Judy Excell
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I'm sorry you were sent such horrible emails. I hope these are but a
small sector of British people.
I'm not sure that anyone now remembers but some years ago Cherie Blair
said approximately : "We should find out why young men are driven to
commit suicide by blowing themselves up". Unfortunately she was heavily
criticized for this.
I agree that Muslims should join in the electoral process, especially as
so many other British people are not taking part.
I was very impressed seeing on the news (last year, I cannot remember)
that a gathering of Muslims had a banner "We don't hate anyone". As a
Christian I am supposed to love everyone, which is difficult, but not to
hate anyone is perhaps more attainable.
Best wishes
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| 12/06/2005 |
| Ian Salt
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Hello,
I am a forty years old man born in this country, of Scottish and British
ancestery. May I say how deeply ashamed I felt upon viewing the
television program on BBC2 this Sunday evening. The situation in
Palestine is bad enough, something over which I feel horror, but also
helpless to do anything about; a source of much sorrow and frustration
for myself.
However, I felt just as bad about the attacks on Muslims and abusive
messages to your website. I thought I might make a small attempt to
redress the balance by sending this message of support to you at the
Muslim Counciil of Great Britain. I feel the Muslim religion is a fine
and vibrant cultural cornerstone of the modern United Kingdom. I am
proud to call at least one Muslim a friend, a slightly lapsed one I
suspect, and can confess to having always been delighted by the culture
and history of the Muslim faith and its peoples. I especially enjoy the
debates amongst various factions, as in tonight's show, about what
exactly constitutes a 'good' Muslim.
I feel our society is robust and generous enough to benefit from the
opinions and outlooks of all manner of people, and I have never been
anything but entertained, amused, intrigued and even inspired by the
many faces and facets of themselves the faithful of the Muslim relgion
so generously allow us to see.
My support and best regards,
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| 12/06/2005 |
| Michael Smith |
Dear Sir/Madam
I have just been watching the BBC program aired tonight on British muslims and I feel I have to contact yourselves.
I am a white, non-muslim who was brought up in a middle-class white society with little or no involvement with ethnic groups or cultures. When at University (Sheffield) I became good friends with a muslim fellow student who lived at the Severn Road Mosque. Throughout my 3 years at Sheffiled University I spent many, many days in the mosque revising for my exams. I met a great deal of muslim people and, I'll be honest, eat a great deal of food that was given to me.
Whilst watching the program tonight I was upset to hear the emails you had received from non-muslim British who sent you, quite frankly, unacceptable abuse.
I have no particular political point of view, I don't usually voice my opinion and I don't usually send emails to groups such as yourselves. But this is different.
Whilst at Sheffield at the Severn Road mosque I have never exerienced such warmth, love and generosity. I was welcomed every day with open arms. I was invited to celebrations and various events that occured at the Mosque and even one day got to meet Prince Naseem's Dad!!!!
The experience was eye-opening and I hold the muslim people with a great deal of affection. They helped me in so many ways I am not sure it would be possible for me to repay.
I know you understand your position better than I, but I hope this email helps you believe that a great deal of non-muslim British are proud to be living in the same country as a culturally rich society of good people such as British muslims.
I'm sure all of the bad emails you received were anonymous so I enclose all my contact details below as I am proud of my point-of-view.
Best wishes
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Page 195
For further information please contact the MCB:
The Muslim Council of Britain
PO Box 52
Wembley
HA9 0XW
Tel: 020 8903 9650
Fax: 020 8903 9026
admin@mcb.org.uk
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