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1. I’ve only skim read Tony Blair’s report on “Islamist” groups in the U.K. but my initial reaction is that as a war criminal who has done more than virtually anyone to pit Muslim against non Muslim he should keep his mouth shut on issues of community cohesion.
2. The “Islamist” groups mentioned in the report are not trying to divide Muslims and non Muslims. In fact they all regularly work with non Muslims. Moreover, non Muslims in this country also generally can’t stand Tony Blair.
3. The authorities are now trying to equate far right extremism with “non violent Islamist extremism.” So these guys are the baddies and those in between are the goodies etc. This is a simplistic narrative.
4. The report is all about cracking down on “non violent extremism,” something we’ve been hearing for over a decade now. This is basically an attack on those who challenge the government narrative on foreign wars and counter terrorism and islamophobia.
5. The groups in the report do not represent all British Muslims because no one group can represent such a diverse community. But unlike the Tony Blair Institute, they are embedded within the British Muslim community and therefore are close to the grassroots.
6. Is there a global conspiracy against Muslims? Well, constant wars launched by the West against Muslim countries and Islamophobic rhetoric and actions in the West might lead one to that conclusion. Many non Muslims would agree, methinks.
7. Is Muslim engagement with the government fundamentally wrong? First, the govt has chosen not to engage with the community not vice versa. But yes, engagement with this toxic, islamophobic govt is wrong. Another govt where a two-way conversation could be had may be ok.
8. Finally, the Establishment should stop treating Muslims with contempt. We’re no longer naive & scared immigrants grateful for a home in Britain. We’re confident citizens who contribute as much as anyone else so we will claim our rights. And we can smell your BS a mile off.
