Islamophobia andAnti-Semitism: An Event at ICC
Any movement against any race or
any nation must be addressed and stopped
Dr. Mozammel Haque
“Any
movement against any race or any nation in the world is really something which
must be stopped and must be addressed and we should not really be quite about
it. In Europe, unfortunately recently, we see there is really a rise of
Right-wing. You know, in all Europe; in many countries. We are really so
worried; all Muslim communities, not only Muslims, but also many people, Jewish
community are also worried, and other people are so worried about it; is this
going to continue?” Dr. Ahmad Al-Dubayan, Director General of The Islamic
Cultural Centre and London Central Mosque said at an event on Islamophobia
and Anti-Semitism, organised by Home Office in cooperation with Islamic
Cultural Centre, London, on Thursday, 18 October, 2018, at the Library
Conference Hall of the Centre.
David Chapot
David
Chapot, as the chair of the event, first of all spoke about the similarities of
the two faiths, Judaism and Islam. He said, “Both faiths emphasize on the Oneness
of God which is considered in Islam as Shahadah or the First pillar of Islam
has been the One God and then in Judaism it is Shima which is the Building Blocks
of Judaism which is again the invocation of the One God.”
After
speaking about the belief, Chapot talked about their practice. He said, “We are
also talking about the two which in many ways worships through prayer,
prostration, through fasting, pilgrimage and all the way through to dietary.”
He
said the things that struck him not only the similarities but also the in terms
of some of the challenges that these two communities face. “Fortunately both the Muslim community and the
Jewish community have the history of understanding of what it is to be victims
of hatred and targeted by act of hatred,” said Chapot and mentioned, “very
worrying point is 40% rise in religiously motivated hate crime; 52 % of these
are directed towards Muslims and then anti-Semitic act are the second largest
group those.”
Chapot
then mentioned about an act of terrorism. He said, “Act of terrorism is also
part of the worrying picture.” He mentioned the “terrorist attacks committed by
Darren Osborne at Finsbury Park is an example the Muslim community is directly
targeted; equally if you read about the recent arrest of members of groups of Nazis’
actions. This again is a clear reminder of the threat Neo-Nazism continues it
today.”
Hate
is serious and important topic of the time which deserves attention. The Hate
toward the Muslim community is an important topic. Chapot said, “We will
actually to discuss how we can tackle this together; obviously this can happen
through a number of different initiatives, through reporting; community
initiative; education; but hopefully by the end of tonight we will all must
have greater idea what is currently happening and what more all we can possibly
done.”
Chapot
introduced the first speaker, Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan as the Director General of
the Islamic Cultural Centre and London Central Mosque since 2001. “In this role,
he introduces several remarkable initiatives, many of which focus on interfaith
works and fostering on and understanding between the faiths and if it is not
enough Dr. Dubayan also serves as trustees to several UK charities,” said
Chapot.
Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan
Dr.
Ahmad al-Dubayan, Director-General of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London and Regent’s Park London Central Mosque addressed the gathering and spoke on
Islamophobia. He started with Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahe wa Barakatuh.
Small
Global Village
Speaking
on Islamophobia, Dr. al-Dubayan first of all explained how the modern world
turns into a small global village and how modern technology brings them
together. “In this modern time when the entire world comes closer to each
other; countries come closer to each other politically, economically,
technologically, now the modern technology also brings them together. We are
not now in a world of like before, i.e. anybody can live isolated, or live by
alone from other people, from other countries, or other communities, or other
societies,” he said and added, “You have to live within the world. When we
think about this as a principle; we expect from this world which is going to be
a small village is to have more chances to know each other; have more chances
to have knowledge about each other; and Islamophobia or Anti-Semitism they are
really against this directly.”
Equality
of Mankind
Dr.
al-Dubayan traced the background of Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism. “Islamophobia
is one of the phenomenons that we are having in these days. Of course, it is
not totally new; it started long time ago; some centuries ago, but actually in
the modern time, in the last thirty years we see it now more and more. There
are, of course, many reasons for this. I do not want to discuss that too much.”
Dr.
al-Dubayan then talked about equality of mankind and how Islamophobia and
Anti-Semitism are against that very principle. “Allah Subhanahu wa Taala created you in races, nations, so that you can
know each other; not of course to fight each other, not to hate each other. And
one of the main things in Islam very clearly said in the Qur’an and in the
Hadith, the Traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), i.e. people are
equal; there is no superiority or inferiority for anybody either he is white or
black, Arab or not Arab.”
Dr.
al-Dubayan explained how Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism go against this
fundamental principle. He said this principle of equality is very clear in
Islam, in the Holy Qur’an and in the Traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon
him). “We believe this is the message of all religions revealed to Mankind. We
are all equal in humanity; we are all the same. We see this Islamophobia or
Anti-Semitism is really against this. It is one of the phenomenons we should really
as communities to stand together against and really try to clarify this and try
to fight it by all means and by all possibilities,” he said.
History
of Anti-Semitism
Dr.
al-Dubayan mentioned hatred is the basis of this Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism.
He said, “Anti-Semitism started in the 19th century; it was something like
Islamophobia today. Anti-Semitism was the hatred for the Jewish people in
Europe at that time. That time actually nobody stood against it clearly and did
not use all the possibilities and possible means during those days till that
led to what we know about it, of course, in the thirties and the forties when
the holocaust happened. This is going
exactly what we have fears. That is going to lead to the same result of
Islamophobia if actually in Europe we leave it as it is and we don’t fight it;
or we don’t try all the possibilities possible solutions to stand against
that.”
“If
people of the world had stood against anti-Semitism in the 19th century or in
the early 20th century, we would not have seen actually the result that we had
seen during thirties or forties. I am sure about that. Many people ignored it
or neglected it or supported it even,” said Dr. al-Dubayan and added, “I think
the future of Europe and the whole world really is in danger if we, or if the
world really remains silence against all these movements against certain people
in the world, either sectarianism or Islamophobia, or anti-Semitism.”
“Any
movement actually against any race or any nation in the world is really
something which must be stopped and must be addressed and we should not really
be quite about it. In Europe, unfortunately recently, we see there is really a
rise of Right-wing. You know, in all Europe; in many countries; and we are
really so worried; all Muslim communities, not only Muslims, but also many
people, Jewish community are also worried, and other people are so worried
about it; what is going to happen after this; is this going to continue?” Dr.
Al-Dubayan raised the question.
Misunderstanding
and Misinterpretation about Islam
The
ICC chief mentioned the reasons for this happening. It is misunderstanding and
misinterpretation particularly about Islam. Dr. al-Dubayan said, “There are, of
course, many reasons for this; most of them are economical reasons; sometimes
misunderstanding; and we as Muslims suffer a lot from this misunderstanding and
misinterpretation particularly about Islam in the media and this
misunderstanding and this narratives really in the media which supports this
misunderstanding of Islam worrying us too much. I think this disserve also all
the interfaith and dialogue works we are doing in this organisation.”
Role
of Faith leaders
Speaking
about the role faith leaders can play, Dr. al-Dubayan mentioned, “There are
many leaders in all the communities; Muslim community, Jewish community,
Christian, Hindu, Sikhs and others. Many of them are really leaders in dialogue
and they are always trying to open more spaces for understanding and for
knowledge about others. But these people who support this Islamophobia feeling
around us, they are killing the chances more and more.”
Talking
about the facts and figures of the rise of Islamophobia, Dr. al-Dubayan said,
“Really shocking that number; we know 40% the hatred crime really increase since
2017. This shows us actually the situation in the society and at the same time
this shows us how big the responsibility we have all against this; especially
the authorities, especially the security authorities.”
Build
a Common Culture among all the
Communities
– suggested Dr. Dubayan
Under
this present situation, Dr. al-Dubayan has suggested some of the things which
should be done to bring peace and tranguillity within the society. First of
all, he suggested to build a common culture among all the communities about
Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. He suggested, “We really need to build like a
common culture among all the communities about Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, about any kind of hatred
targeting anybody, not only Muslims or Jews, but anybody, any kind of hatred.
This cultural hatred must be stopped. History could be a very good teacher if
we really learn from it; but history could be also a big and crazy monster if
we try to bring the history as it is and live within the history itself. This
is very dangerous. And I don’t need to refer to some countries in the world
what is happening there; because of something happened a long time ago, a
history sometimes a killer if we don’t understand.”
“So
building a common culture and awareness in all the communities about this
thing; we have to show really the face of the faiths; faiths must speak up and
must be talked about it. Every faith leaders must educate his community through
the organisation about this phenomenon about themselves; Islamophobia,
anti-Semitism; this must be addressed by Imams, by Rabbis, by Priest, by also
Monks and by everybody,” said Dr. al-Dubayan.
Internet
and new initiatives
The
ICC chief then talked about internet and new initiatives. He said, “We need
also to clarify this misunderstanding about Islam itself; we are doing a lot,
but this is not enough. Now there is also the internet. Internet is a school
which is available; it can teach something good and can teach something bad. So
how to encounter this? How we can stand against that or clarify all situations?
How we really can reach these people who spread hatred and targeting people? We
really need to think about that; we need to have initiatives.”
Youth
must be addressed and
Home
Office has big responsibilities
Dr.
al-Dubayan also suggested about the youth, the young children. He said, “I
think it is very important we target young children, the youth. The youth must
be addressed. They must learn something. Some people really teach the youth
course how to hate others; and how they think they see somebody from that faith;
this must be tackled; we must address that policy.”
“Home
Office also have big responsibility about fighting against that by all means
and by all possibilities. This must be stopped one way or another. And I think
that we too to do it about more awareness and more knowledge about other people
and continuing this communication; giving more chance for faith leaders really
to talk; may be more than politicians. Politicians sometimes make things big
difficult; faith leaders sometimes; sometimes I am saying, make it really
easier than better,” mentioned Dr. al-Dubayan.
Tolerant
voices must be welcomed
Dr.
al-Dubayan also suggested welcoming the tolerant voices. He said, “These
tolerant voices must be raised and must be welcomed. This is actually the model
we have to follow; we have to raise it and we have to always highlight among
the society, and especially targeting the fresh mind, the youth mind. They are
really the future. So we have to build for the future from now. Very very
important.”
Spread
the Message of Tolerance
Dr.
al-Dubayan then talked about the message of tolerance. “If we don’t convey the
message of tolerance from community to community; from each community to
another community, I think we are going to fail. When we fail then there is
really something very dangerous for all the societies and for all of us;
because we are all standing on one boat and hatred does not know borders. When
you allow for it; it will go actually destroying and I think the history and in
the present time there are lot of examples and all of you know this example. We
don’t want to happen again, either in the UK or anywhere else.”
Rabbi Herschel
Gluck
The
next speaker was Rabbi Herschel Gluck, President of Shomrin, Founder of the
Muslim-Jewish Forum, who started with praising Dr. al-Dubayan as a “true
champion who is trying his very best to build bridges and to work with other
communities to make London a truly cosmopolitan city, a city where we do not
live not only side by side but also engage with each other. Many years ago I
said the Jews and Muslims are so similar that we even hate each other the same
way.”
Rabbi
Gluck also mentioned, “When Jews and Muslims have a very narrow relationship
that leads often to conflict and misunderstanding but when we get to know each
other better and when we deepen our knowledge of each other that leads to a
constructive engagement between our communities.”
Rabbi
Gluck, President of Shomrin, then mentioned about the murder of Lee Rigby the
soldier who was murdered by terrorist in south-east London. Rabbi said, “The EDL
organised a number of marches and attacks on Muslim institutions and mosques.
My organisation, Shomrin, arranged special petrol of Jewish people along with
Muslim institutions to protect them; to make sure that they will not be
attacked.”
Rabbi
Gluck also mentioned about caring for each other. He said, “We care for the
other because we feel if we don’t care for the other, we will be the next
victim of that wild animal of fascism, of racial hatred is going to devolve us.
That is the more sophisticated, a more profound idea for caring for the other
and that is the God created us all and we are all special. All has some special
to give to the world and to the society.”
Rabbi
Gluck also mentioned, “God has created us in His image.” Rabbi does not believe
in the idiom that the stronger will survive and the weaker disappears into
history. He said, “As believers we know that we exist not because we are the
strongest; we exist because God created us and He created us in His image. Like
He is Merciful and Kind, so we also have to be merciful and kind. And that is
the secret of survival.”
Rabbi
Gluck also mentioned the secret of survival is to be charitable, to help
others. He said, “The secret of survival is to be charitable; to help others;
to make the world the better place; to make the world the kinder place; to make
the world more peaceful place. We live in a society where people are scared of
others. We come into the UK; we all most Jews children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren, were refugees and both Muslims are either refugees or people who
came here as economic migrants; because then British needed workers in the
textile mills in Lancashire, in Yorkshire looking for work; looking to help
this country as bus drivers, as shop owners, as business people; but when we
come to this country people are scared.”
Rabbi
Gluck also said, “We exist because God created us in His image; He did not
create us in the image of one another; He created us in the image of God.
Therefore, every single human being whether he or she might be, whatever their
background be, whatever their skin colour is, whatever they think, we all are
created in the image of God; and our existence is to thanks to Him who created
us each other. All are in His image. And therefore, when we look at the other;
we are not looking as someone different, we are looking as someone is the same;
because we all are created in God’s image and therefore, we look at the other we
are looking at ourselves. Because we all truly a part of God.”
Aysha Esakji from
Counter-Terrorism, Home Office
Aysha
Esakji, OBE, working as part of Hounslow and Fulham Chelsea Council for over 10
years now. She has been playing a variety of crucial and difficult roles
ranging from hate crime and community engagement. Aysha spoke more about hate
crime and community awareness
She
talked about her experienced of ten years of being a hate crime coordinator and
she mentioned there are many many reasons why people don’t reported. “Today I
am going to focus on why we should report the hate crime. We actually want to
know what the hate crime is. Why it should be reported,” she
demonstrated.
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