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Emails to the MCB on issues and concerns
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Page 223
| 20/07/2005 |
| SH
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I don't really know why i am contacting you but I feel the need to say
something at this time of crisis. Offer some small gesture of support
and condolence for the bad things that have been happening in the world
recently.
If you saw me in the street, you might assume that I was a typical
middle-aged, red-neck male white brit and in many ways I am, *BUT*,
while I might apppear so, my soul aches for tha many people of all
faiths who have been victims in the recent "War on Terror" as our
"elected" "leaders" chose to call it. I am appalled by the wholesale
slaughter of innocent people in places such as Iraq that continues
unabated and while I in no way condone violence against the innocent,
can see the point of view of the perpetrators of such heinous acts as
"911" and the Madrid and London bombings. In a way I find the acts of
the perptrators heroic (although I know it is wrong to view them as
heroic acts), demonstrating a blind faith and devotion to duty that is
unimaginable to most people. I am also appalled that the daily slaughter
of innocents in Iraq is reported differently (almost dispassionately) by
the western media as if every single life in those places were not just
as precious as every life lost "over here".
Like I said, I just felt the need to communicate and humbly offer my
sympathy and support for victims of "the war on terror" everywhere,
particularly muslims, who, it seems to me, get the rough end of the deal
in many places.
Yours in peace,
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| 20/07/2005 |
| R Edmonds |
sir
anguish and horror I could believe, but shock? You know full well that
there are radicalized youth in your communities, and you know full well
who is radicalizing them. But,as usual, the Muslim community brushes
it's shame under the carpet. The last few days have been traumatic ones
for this nation, and for your communities in particular. ( ironically
the one community "cowering in fear") Many people have spoken to me (a
white anglo-saxon englishman) about muslims with hatred in their voices
and have had short shrift as a result. The victimisation of any race or
ethnic group in any society is unnacceptable. In a free democracy it is
unspeakable. you must understand though, that irrepairable damage has
been done to community relations as a result of the recent events. The
muslim community is no longer trusted by the wider public and no amount
of reassurance by you will change this soon.Your spokesmen have
constantly utterly condemned these acts but there always seems to be a
caviat, that somehow we should understand why they feel the way they do
and why they want to murder 50 people. perhaps you should spend a little
more time rooting out the problem before they are able to do
these horrors and stop making excuses for them. If things go downhill
from here it will be a shame on all our communities.let us hope,or pray
if we wish, that this does not happen.
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| 20/07/2005 |
| Maggie Allen
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| I will keep on believing in the essential goodness of most people and
not allow recent terrible events to change that. With love.
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| 20/07/2005 |
| Shelley Leiser |
I am a non-Muslim writing you from the U.S. to condemn the backlash
against British Muslims.
You have my strongest sympathy and support.
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| 20/07/2005 |
| Paul C |
Sir,
The mainstream Muslim community needs to lead a protest that
demonstrates that terror of any kind is not acceptable (of course
supported by other faiths). Words do go some way to promote an
acceptance that the issues we faced last week are isolated and not
reflective of the majority of Muslims. Words however will not be enough
- as a key leader of the Muslim community I encourage you to engage the
Muslim faithful in the largest demonstration this country has ever seen
with one simple message,"Not in our name." There may also be an
opportunity to bring together the key religious teachers from across the
Muslim world to support this simple message. The sad fact is that it
looks like our great (imperfect) country has been attacked by products
of our own Muslim community - the UK Muslim community needs to own this
problem (with support from the rest of our society) regardless of what
is happening anywhere else in the world i.e. no excuses, distractions or
speeches are required - if we stick to the simple message"Not in our
name...." that will be a big step in moving forward from these tragic
events.
I wish you well in the next few months as they will be particularly
challenging and will keep you in my prayers.
I would appreciate you thoughts on my letter.
Yours sincerely,
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| 20/07/2005 |
| Amy |
I am so sorry to hear that you have been receiving hate messages from
those who believe that Muslims and Al Qaida are synonymous. Like the
terrorists, those sending messages of hate are the minority--most of us
know better than to hold the beautiful tradition of Islam responsible
for the recent attacks. Please know that some of us in the U.S. (I'm in
San Francisco) *do not* blame Muslims and believe we must all hold
together to overcome these dark times.
Peace be with you,
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| 20/07/2005 |
|
To all British Muslims
Just a note to say I feel compelled to write and offer the hand of
friendship to all of you, my fellow British men and women. As a British
Christian I am shocked and saddened by the attacks and accusations
launched against British Muslims after the tragic attacks in London.
This is a frightening and confusing time for all of us and I know as one
person I can't change the world - however I will not give into hatred
and ignorance, as I know you won't.
My thoughts are with all of you holding steadfast and brave in these
uncertain times, as they are also with the families shattered by the
terroist attacks. Only by uniting together, regardless of race, creed,
religion or colour can we fight evil.
I can't speak for all British people but I hope I do when I say that I
am still proud of the contribution British Muslims make to our society.
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| 20/07/2005 |
| Mr D Sheldon, Keighley |
Hello,
As you are thinking of the families and communities involved in the tragic incidents in London I want to let you know that I am thinking of the hard times that your religious and social communities may now face.
I live and work in an area with a large Muslim community and can only hope that recent and continuing events will bring us all closer together. One of the great things about being British is that in times of adversity we pull together and stand as one. I sincerely hope that we can do this now.
Kind regards,
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| 20/07/2005 |
| Nicola Thompson |
I just wanted to put in writing my support for your organisation. Your
compasssion for mankind and your leadership at this difficult time.
Please keep doing your impressive work - your organisation inspires people
to think that one day - working together - we can be rid of a world of
hatred against others.
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| 20/07/2005 |
|
Dear MCB,
I just wanted to write you a short message to say that I wholeheartedly
support what you are doing and to say that your work is very important. Your
task is no doubt very difficult and from time to time you will of course
face criticism but please do not let this deter you. More needs to be done
to ensure that all communities continue to live peacefully together and you
can help lead the way. Please keep it up!
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| 20/07/2005 |
| Lee |
Dear MCB,
Today i feel the British public and our government missed a major
opportunity to dismiss the myth of Western double standards towards the
Muslim world.
As Britain and some other parts of the world held 2 minutes silence in
respect towards all those poor souls killed or injured in the London
Bombings, we also missed the opportunity to dismiss this myth of the
double standards.
The UK should have made a point of showing solidarity with the Iraqi
people who lost 21 children in a suicide attack yesterday.
The worlds media and the Muslim world was watching today and as usual we
let ourselves down by not acknowledging the deaths of these poor
innocent kids and their families grief.
I for one, as a British non-Muslim, feel very guilty about this and so
should our two faced government.
SHAME ON US!
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Page 223
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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