Rather than appealing to
Muslims as British citizens, with a variety of views and beliefs,
politicians of all hues prefer to see them as people whose primary loyalty
is to their faith and who can be engaged only by other Muslims. Should we be
surprised then if, as a consequence, many Muslims come to see themselves as
semi-detached Britons? Last week the government published Contest 2, its new
anti-terrorism strategy. But it has still not understood the extent to which
its own multicultural policies have helped fan the flames of Islamic
radicalism.
Muslims as British citizens, with a variety of views and beliefs,
politicians of all hues prefer to see them as people whose primary loyalty
is to their faith and who can be engaged only by other Muslims. Should we be
surprised then if, as a consequence, many Muslims come to see themselves as
semi-detached Britons? Last week the government published Contest 2, its new
anti-terrorism strategy. But it has still not understood the extent to which
its own multicultural policies have helped fan the flames of Islamic
radicalism.
Citizenship has no meaning if different classes of citizens are treated
differently, whether through multicultural policies or through racism.
Read the full article in the Sunday Times.