Islam and the pluralist state
Editorial, The Independent, Saturday July 19, 2008
It would be easy to criticise the Government's plan to fund a new independent
board of Islamic theologians to advise the Muslim community about the tricky
issues faith provokes in a modern pluralist society. Hardline secularists
yesterday trotted out familiar arguments about the separation of church and
state while, at the other extreme, Muslims such as Azzam Tamimi – who has
sought to justify suicide bombings – were accusing ministers of trying to
create state-sponsored Islam.
It is not, of course, for the Government to dictate on matters of religious
teaching. But that is not what is being proposed. Ministers are merely
responding to the call within Muslim communities for a forum in which stronger
leadership can be demonstrated on what are often controversial issues. Islam is
not like mainstream Christianity with its hierarchies or centres of authority.
There is no Muslim pope, nor even the Islamic equivalent of the infamously
dispersed authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury. But it is not an
interpretative free-for-all, as some suggest; it is a faith structure which
makes clear appeals to authority.
If taxpayers' money is to be spent bringing together a diverse range of British
Muslim voices to reflect authoritatively on Islam in a modern context – and in
the process show young British Muslims that their faith is compatible with the
shared values that go with being a British citizen – that is a powerful public
service.
The fact that this is to be done in a religious context is a plus rather than a
minus. Secularist solutions will not hold much sway with the Muslim community.
Indeed, many disenchanted young British Asians need more Islam, not less:
unless they have a proper understanding of what Islam is really about, they can
all too easily become easy prey for the distortions of jihadists later in life.
That is what happened to Britain's 7 July suicide bombers, all of whom had been
to secular schools.
Mosques are therefore an apposite place in which to hold the new citizenship
classes. They will help young Muslims to break out of narrow ethnic or
sectarian backgrounds. They will improve their ability to compete for jobs and
influence in British society. And they will equip them to play a more active
leadership role in their communities. The initiative is to be applauded.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-islam-and-the-pluralist-state-871775.html
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