Exploring the Roots of Islamophobia in Great Britain with a Special Regard to the Educational Sector

Table of Content

1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………….1

2. Islamophobia in the Multicultural State Great Britain …..………………………2

3. Islamophobia and the Education Sector….……………………………………...4

4. What to do against it .…..………………….………………..…………………….8

5. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………....10

6. Bibliography………………………………………………………………………..11

Introduction I have been interested for many years in multiculturalism and have strengthened this interest and gained some useful insight by choosing the Seminar “Multicultural Britain”. This seminar shed a light on current British debates, concerning multiculturalism.
In everyday’s life I can see in many different branches, like arts, education or business, just to mention a few, how people of different heritage facing each other often competitive and sometimes even negative or racist. This topic caught my interest because I simply do not want more war; and there is no doubt that there is a war against Islam and Muslims, however it may express its power.
The special example of Islamophobia, which is a widespread and controversial topic, addresses or rather attacks Islam and Muslims. Not all racist movements manifest their values in political activism. It is rather a matter of educational, cultural, social and ethical norms and values. Therefore I find it necessary to introduce my work with a brief overview of Islamophobia in multicultural British society. In any case, basic background knowledge will be helpful by understanding what is happening with our society and illustrates, or directly names the problems most Muslims facing, day by day and what really causes such a controversy.
With my special focus of Islamophobia in the educational sector, I try to figure out to what extend Muslim racism affects the life of so many people and why there is such segregation within Britain’s population. A question that may occur is probably why I have my main focus on the educational sector. It is simple to answer, because I believe that education is the key to a successful life. So schools, as educational institutions are playing an important role for precluding racist thoughts and acts. Another point is young people are easier to influence and guide. They are our future and represent, to a dominant extent, the spirit of each nation. Islamophobia definitely is a phenomenon in British schools and society, not at least because of the existence of Islamic schools. I try to find out to what extent, how it occurs and expresses its power. My work seeks to point out what must be done to prevent such racist ideas, in schools and work towards a multicultural nation, which will be under certain circumstances proud of its variety. I believe that variety is the spice of life. I aim to reveal possible starting points, which could avoid tendencies towards racism and a segregation of Muslims in British society.

1. Islamophobia in the Multicultural State Great Britain

I am convinced that language is culture, culture is communication and communication is the key to life. Consequently, it becomes clear that terms like Multicultural and Islamophobia are powerful. Selecting wisely how to use and where to use them is hence of main importance to me, not only for personal, but for educational purpose. These are main reason why I would like to clarify the term Multiculturalism and Islamophobia briefly in the beginning.
Multicultural consists of the words multi and culture. Multi means “a lot”, “many” or “much” and culture is a broad spectrum which is not limited to the following aspects but of course includes all of them. So like I mentioned before, culture consists of language and communication in any form. The term is coined throughout historical events, traditions and values that describe a certain community, and not to forget throughout Art and Science. To some degree, philosophy and religion, as well as the social interactions or rather corporations between humans from the same or different heritage are defining their own individual culture. The coexistence of all these aspects in various forms, no matter if they are productive or unproductive determines the term multicultural. Another important point is the fact that many different nations with many different religions and cultures living side by side. Like I just said, it can have a notion of something positive, but also can denote something negative. Roy Jenkins, home secretary coined the term multicultural in British politics, when he announced that “immigration should not lead to a "flattening process of assimilation" but instead should provide "equal opportunity accompanied by cultural diversity." Since already half a century this theory is well known and points out the positive and negative side effects of multiculturalism in Great Britain. “But now, as the country is struggling so publicly with Muslim assimilation, some analysts like Phillips of the Commission for Racial Equality fear that a premium on cultural identity has Britain "sleepwalking into segregation."
Considering this, the term Islamophobia is going to play an important role throughout my work. Therefore I have chosen a definition from Robin Richardson, who points out that this terminology has a negative connotation: “The disadvantages of the term Islamophobia are significant. Some of them are primarily about the echoes implicit in the concept of phobia. Others are about the term Islam convenience.” The word phobia means “fear” and refers in this context basically to Islam and Muslims. Islamaophobia is nothing more or less than a racist theory, which justifies the exclusion and discrimination of the Islam, its culture, descendents and religion. It was commonly used since the year 2000, like Richardson announced. The media popularized the term in the following years, likewise several papers and journals. It is obvious that an Information Age quickly coins different terms, which are often superficial and have an immense impact on public communities and modern societies. Thus, still remains the question why a nation, which prides itself of being multicultural, is suddenly dealing with this problem?
A starting point could be the year 1988, when Salamon Rushdie published his controversial novel “The Satanic Verses”. The British Indian writer was from then on charged with blasphemy. Especially, British Muslims became louder and protested against a man who brought their holy scripture - the Koran into disrepute. “Rushdie simplifies Islamic rules, and therefore misrepresents them, making them seem barbaric. [In his work] he provides anecdotal evidence to lend support to his claim that Muslims are oppressive to their women.” Basically, you could say that his novel is a parody of Islam and Muslims and I would say, even if it may seem to some degree exaggerated that Rushdie claims deliberately to shed a negative light on it, what we can call islamophobic.
In the long run, the “Rushdie Affair” raised questions of multiculturalism, the limit of tolerance and the freedom of expressions. Samida Gargh comments on the origin and influence of the word as follows: “Islamophobia was evident during the Gulf War of 1991, when racist attacks on Muslims increased. Such racism also surged after September 11, 2001 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The ongoing instability in the Middle East continues to stoke the phenomenon.” Another point is, that I guess the so called 7/7 Bombings are also strongly related to the popularization of the existence of Islamophobia. On July, 7th 2005, four men with British citizenship and Pakistani descent started a serious of suicide attacks in the London underground system what claimed around seven hundred injured and killed at least over fifty people.
Nevertheless, it is essential to distinguish clearly between Muslims and terrorists. I mean, not all Muslims are terrorists and the other way around. Well, cultural borders are getting smaller and smaller in the Technology and Information Age, but they should never be mixed up within modern multicultural societies.
One thing I really can not reject is the fact that it seems like Britain’s intentions to be a multicultural state failed dramatically. What they now have to face is the negative side effects of what it means to be multicultural. I also found it very interesting that politics on the one hand are supposed to be the most efficient and powerful way to tell the people what is wrong and right. But on the other hand they failed to create an exemplary multicultural state. Over decades British politicians tried to avoid a suffering from multiculturalism with several Equal Rights Acts, but it was not sufficient enough and it becomes clear that politics has a limited scope to make a change. They can influence people, but they cannot write rules about what one should feel when it comes to the term of Islamophobia. What really matters is the broad majority and their opinion towards Islam and Muslims. The Media aims to catch their attention and only tries to sell their news, what is in most cases successful. Something like independent journalism is nowadays hard to find and in most of the cases they are unable to reach the majority. I would even argue that there was put more effort in “hunting” than “protecting” ethnic minorities throughout the media. I cannot provide exact evidences, but see the growing anti- Muslim movement, which is not only overshadowing Great Britain nowadays. The pressure from society, politics and communities on Islam and Muslims is constantly growing. The Media is a major factor which implicates Islam and Muslims in terror and in that way supporting racist theories.

2. Islamophobia and the Educational Sector

Considering the events that caused such a controversial debate about the issue of Islamophobia in Great Britain, it becomes necessary to look at the effects it has on everyday life. For humans it is often an alarming situation if they lose control over something that concerns them day by day. Intolerance as a result and phobia as an effect occurs hence numerously. Looking at British Islamic schools and why they are causing controversy is thus of significance while talking about Islamophobia.

“Education represents for British Muslims a major area of struggle for equality of opportunity and assertion of identity. It was over education that Muslims became increasingly vocal in raising their demands in the early 1980s, and it is where they have succeeded best in having many of their needs recognised in the face of controversy and opposition from broad sections of British society”

Islamic schools seeming quite common and at the moment there are around 2,000 in Britain. It is obvious that the existence of Islamic schools in Britain leads to a path of separation from traditional schools and non-Muslim societies. We can observe an ongoing process of failed integration within a multicultural state. I got the feeling that the existence of Islamic schools is simply not tolerated, what made me curious. On the contrary to other religious schools, no matter if they are Jewish or Christian, Islamic schools arousing attention because of their questionable teaching methods and theories. At this point, I must admit that it is not a question about freedom of expression or freedom of religion; on the opposite, they should have the right to practice their religion freely and unharmed, but not at school. Nevertheless I would argue that the existence of Islamic schools throw them back to isolation. Definitely we should ask to what extent they really aim to integrate, while they fighting for their Islamic schools.
In the same way we should not mix up religious and cultural borders, they should not mix up religion with education. Is it hence really worth striving for to have these Islamic or Christian schools? I would be skeptical, but thus they exist. And while questioning why, I came to the conclusion that there must be more behind the simple fact they want to “produce“ leaders. Whatever it might be, I doubt that we can say they will gain the same education like in a public school if their main focus is on religion. Fact is that the younger generation, now going to those schools need to be integrated in the job market later on. I got a strange feeling when thinking about the fact that these students will be representing a big part of Britain’s population.
A 15 year old student at the Leicester Islamic Academy stated: “Here we can keep ourselves on the path of religion”. His friend Mohammed Seedat agreed. “There is less chance here of going of the track.” Regarding Islamophobia, It may be exactly what other people fear. But what about the other religious schools, like Christian schools which represent “one-third of all publicly financed British schools”. They actually have basically the same intentions like the Islamic schools, right? Why is there such a negative direction towards Islamic schools in Britain? An illustrative example may clarify the situation.
The Islamic High School in Birmingham “Darul Uloom” is a very influential educational institution. Negative publicity justifies now the growing fear towards Islam. Reporter Tazeen Ahmad wrote an article where she describes an undercover mission. They visited the school and filmed undercover what was really happening behind the scenes. In her article she quoted a teacher of “Darul Uloom”: “You’re not like the non-Muslims out there,’ the teacher says, gesturing towards the window. ‘All that evil you see in the streets, people not wearing the hijab properly, people smoking . . . you should hate it, you should hate walking down that street.” What is going on here is rather integration nor multicultural, it is furthermore a racist theory and discrimination against all non-Muslims. But again, not all Muslims are thinking like those people. It is fine if we have these religious schools as long as they are willingly to live in a western system of values and as long as they treat them with respect. According to Reporter Tazeen Ahmad they recorded in just two days “teacher hitting children as young as six or seven at least ten times, in less than three hours of lessons.” No doubt, these cannot be teaching methods in the 21st century.
In my point of view, there is a lack of understanding that they are only one component within a complex network, and that education up to the standard of western schools and values is their only chance to integrate, succeed and in that way fully meet the requirements of the westerns system. However, I cannot take this for granted and I doubt on the fact that no more (radical) Islamic schools would be a solution to the problem of segregation, because they tend to live separately and prefer to stay within their own community, not matter if they attending an Islamic or state school. Like all ethnic minorities, Muslims are confronted with prejudices and discrimination, which could be reasons for a failed multiculturalism.

3. What to do against Islamophobia

It may sound emotional but discriminations and intolerance towards humans, brothers and sisters seems to me inappropriate in the 21st century. Anyway, it will take more than a lifetime to stop these attitudes. Thus, we can work against them. Often the younger generation grew up in a very traditional or even conservative way. Their mothers and fathers did not experience the modern world we are now living in. I guess, it gives them a feeling of security to stick to their world of rules and traditions and therefore they are not willingly to integrate. What they suffer from that is misunderstanding and discrimination from others, non-Muslims.
In general, gaining new experiences is a bilateral process, but sharing them with others is the biggest gift of all. The focus and aim of a multicultural nation should be on sharing one’s culture with others, for example with fellow students and letting them profit from one’s presence. This should not only happen in the classrooms. Personally, I am always ready to share with people the bounty of life, whereas I appreciate and expect to learn from them in return. Diversity is the spice of life, yes, and this is an attitude which people in a multicultural state should reflect, protect and personify. Getting in touch with Islam is automatically strongly related to their religion. People often see their religious thoughts and philosophy as a potential danger, not at least because the media pushes everything that connects Islamophobia in society, like certain terror events that are addressing not only terrorists but rather Muslims as a whole, whose have to get along with those prejudices. Challenges may come, like distractions and frustrations, but in the long run, I am absolutely sure that friendly cooperation is the best way for people to achieve their goals. Intercultural competence, open- mindedness and cooperative personalities are strongly connected with the ability to get along easily with many different people. A wide-spread knowledge in languages, religions, cultures and an unification of the educational principles, or furthermore policies are essential in a multicultural state which should fight against racist theories like Islamophobia. For that purpose an engaged organizational and voluntary work can already achieve a lot. Instead of religion, what they can learn in churches or their free time, the norms and values I just mentioned should be taught in each educational institution. The government should take a stand and simply prescribe that all should have the access to such an education. Those who are not willingly to send their children in a state school have chosen the wrong country to live in. I would argue that these values are the fundamentals for a successful giving-and -taking in a multicultural society, a living together in harmony and with tolerance. Of course there will always be people that standing out and we should not expect peace all along the lines. The first thing what we should do in my point of view, is providing the same education to all people. There should not be an Islamic or Christian school, there should only be one for all. As a result, everyone will get the same chance to integrate and succeed. If this is a way too far, then we should start by controlling several institutions, whether they fit into standard criteria’s of educational purposes or not. Indeed, it is worthy to prevent situation like they happened in “Darul Uloom”. Education should be clearly separated from religion, and the state has to protect the right of religious freedom at the same time. I would warmly welcome something like a department which controls and decides who is allowed to work in the educational and religious sector. Leaders should never be the masters of themselves. I could also imagine a census on media which is supposed to be slander. Laws should protect the human rights of every race more efficient and should be consequent in ensuring them.

Conclusion

I used this work as a starting point to question the justification of any racist theory, with a special focus on Islamophobia in Great Britain. I do not want to “protect morally” Muslims and I do not want to take a direct stand within this debate. I just aim to reach out for the best of all and thus show a high commitment in drafting certain approaches to create a multicultural state without phenomena like Islamophobia. While pointing with fingers on Muslim, everyone should be dealing very critical with media reports and always remind oneself on how could I personally make the best out of a confrontation with the debate on Islam and Muslims. My study of course, is to some degree not entirely free of personal valuing and refers to only a few schools in Britain. I should say up-front that in contrast to professional studies I do not have the chance to analyze hundred of Islamic schools, convince myself of their teaching methods and therefore cannot write independently. These are facts which made my work not really competitive, but I think it is an interesting idea for further studies. Nevertheless, my work is meant to explore the roots of Islamophobia in Britain. When it comes to racist theories like those, I would say that people did not learn from history. Muslims as well as non-Muslims should be tolerant and no one should pride his philosophy as the only true and righteous. Therefore I pointed out that the educational sector plays a significant role for creating a positive attitude towards multiculturalism. Because of its history, Great Britain became a multicultural state, failed in being one under exemplary circumstances and has now the task to make the best out of it. I proposed several ways which could be helpful while fulfilling it. My work can be understood as a starting point to fight for multiculturalism with tolerance and respect to preserve the beauty of diversity and consequently the spice of life, which makes it so interesting and worth living.

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* Richardson, R. (2009 December 9) Islamophobia and Religious Discrimination: new perspectives, policies and practices: ISLAMOPHOBIA OR ANTI-MUSLIM RACISM – OR WHAT? – Concepts and terms revisited. University of Birmingham, Retrieved March 2, 2012 from<http://www.insted.co.uk/anti-muslim-racism.pdf>

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* Author unknown. (2005 July, 12). London bombers 'were all British'. BBC News from<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4676577.stm>

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* Ahmad, T. (2011 February, 13). Shame of Britain's Muslim schools: Secret filming shows pupils being beaten and 'taught Hindus drink cow p***'. Mail Online from < http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1356361/Shame-Britains-Muslim-schools-Secret-filming-shows-pupils-beaten.html#ixzz1p5jwlXZB>

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