Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, along with a number of MPs, recently attended an event, held in Parliament, to promote a ‘Muslim Manifesto’ put together by the Institute for Muslim Community Development. You can read it here.
Essentially, the manifesto demands that the British government act in accordance with the wishes of Muslim communities, above all other considerations. Some points of note are these:
“Defend the right to a Muslim way of life, including halal meat; religious clothing; circumcision; and flexible working to accommodate Ramadan and festival observance.”
What this means is that arguments against the burka/niqab, the halal meat industry, and circumcision (does this mean male and female?) should be ignored, and such practices defended by our politicians.
“Support efforts to accurately remember Muslim and non-Muslim histories including oppressive and genocidal actions against Muslim peoples by British and European peoples.”
This point plays directly in to the victim narrative of Islamists which portrays them as oppressed by the West and as such provides them with immense power, particularly on the Left-wing. “We are victims and therefore all criticism of us amounts to oppression” is the implication.
“Commit to ethical British foreign policies that uphold the human rights of all peoples.”
In other words, foreign policy should conform to the wishes of British Muslims?
“Affirm the importance of faith schools within the overall provision.”
Arguments against faith schools should be ignored – including ‘Trojan Horse’ schools?
“Celebrate and support Muslim heritage and cultural institutions.”
What exactly comes under the heading of “cultural institutions”? Sharia councils and tribunals perhaps?
“Provide assurance and evidence that foreign funding is not causing/promoting violent extremism in the UK.”
Foreign “funding”, as opposed to fanatical religious adherence, is the cause of violent extremism in the UK. This again props up the victim narrative – that Islamists are innocent, it is the West that is to blame.
“Introduce more robust legislation to curb media hate campaigns against Muslims.”
The media must be controlled – free speech and democratic press freedom must be destroyed.
“Guarantee the Muslim community the opportunity to evolve independently of government social engineering programmes.”
What does this mean? That “the Muslim community” should be exempt from certain social policies? To live “independently” of the law?
“Acknowledge that the holy scripture of Muslims (the Qur’an) does not endorse terrorism and the murder of innocents.”
Only positive depictions of the Quran should be permitted, irrespective of truth or opinion. Free debate on Quranic text should be prevented.
There are several other points in the manifesto to cause concern, but the fact that this list of demands, which opposes free speech, secularism, and one law for all, is entertained at the UK Parliament is the greatest concern of all. The event was hosted by Azad Ali (a high-ranking member of Unite Against Fascism) – a man who has said “Democracy, if it means not implementing the sharia, of course nobody agrees with that” – and of course supported by several Labour MPs, demonstrating again that Left-wing politicians simply cannot be trusted with our freedom.
