Honour Killing

Honour killing and female infanticide come from Pagan-Hindu-Judeo-Christian traditions. Hindus idolise women as Goddesses on one hand, while downgrading them on the sly at the same time. There is nothing in the Holy Quran and the Hadiths that may encourage people to kill their daughters. Infact, Islam came to abolish the dark ages of Pagan- Hindu �Judeo- Christian traditions. Islam is a matter of choice and there is no compulsion at all. It is a misconception that forced marriage and honour killing are part of Muslim culture. Forced marriage, honour killing and genital mutilation are rare practices among migrant communities. Muslim migrants are worried about institutional racism, binge drinking, drug addiction, incivility, gun and knife crimes, high rate of abortions and teen age pregnancies. An average of 20 English girls under the age of 16 falls pregnant every day. Muslim parents do not want their children to be integrated into such barbarity. Muslim women feel torn between two cultures, thanks to the British education system with non-Muslim monolingual teachers. It makes their lives very confusing.

 The tragedy of forced marriage and honour killing could have been avoided if the poor girls were educated in a single sex state funded Muslim schools by female Muslim teachers. Educational attainment rises quite significantly if boys and girls are educated separately. The tragedies are an eye opener for all those Muslim parents who send their children to state schools where they are exposed to non-Muslim teachers who have no respect for Islamic faith and Muslim community and do not understand the needs and demands of the Muslim children. Muslim schools are crucial for Muslim children because western education makes a man/woman st**id. The hypocrisy of the Western society is clearly seen whereas an Australian Judge failed to jail nine males who admitted gang-raping a 10-year old aborigine girl in 2005, saying the victim probably agreed to have sex with them and a UNICEF Photo of the year shows, a bridegroom, 40, with his 11-year old bride in Afghanistan. In my opinion, a UNICEF photo of the year must show a nine year British girl having a baby and another photo showing a gang of teenage girls with anti-social behaviour and vomiting out side a pub, thanks to binge drinking.  Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. Muslim schools are the solutions and not a problem. They help to strengthen community cohesion, not undermine it. Muslim schools stand as shining beacons of light, serving as one of the most crucial factors which protect Muslim children from the onslaught of Eurocentricism, homosexuality, racism and secular values and traditions.  They need to be well versed in Standard English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. At the same time they need to be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultural roots and enjoy the beauty of their literature and poetry. Muslim schools are not only faith schools but also bilingual schools. Infact, bilingualism is an asset and not a problem as perceived by the British education system. There is a positive co-relation between language and culture. English language is associated with western culture.

 The silent majority of Muslim parents would like to send their children to Muslim schools but there are not enough schools to go by. The only alternative left is either British Government should introduce voucher system for parents to choose the school of their choice or designate all those state schools as Muslim community schools where Muslim pupils are in majority. There are hundreds of state schools where Muslims are in majority. Such schools may be handed over to Muslim educational Trusts or charities for their management. They are in a better position to educate Muslim children in accordance with their needs and demands. This demand is in accordance with the law of the land because there are state schools already managed by private companies. Muslim community is not asking for a favour. It is their legal right.

Iftikhar Ahmad

www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk

 Iftikhar sahib, You have explained the problem being faced by the Muslim students in Britian. There may be many Muslim students in England. I would like to know if there are any number of Hindu students in England? And Jewish students? How many? I hope there may be many of them. How they are passing their time?? Do they have their own community schools?? if this information is provided then it will be possible to understand the magnitude of the problem and some solution may be sought. Would you be able to give some answer? Thanks.

Brother Iftikah expressed his concerns over the lack of muslim education. I have previously replied to him with statisitics, that in the UK we have many Islamic schools. We can of course have more, but like all things it will take time.

We are a nation that tolerates all faiths and religions, and work with all ethnic groups.

I have pasted some informative links.

The first Hindu state school in Britain is set to open in September 2008 in the London Borough of Harrow, where about 20% of the population is Hindu. Planning consent for the Krishna-Avanti Primary School was granted by the local authority in September 2007.

The voluntary aided school will be run by the I-Foundation, a Hindu charity, in a joint venture with the International Society for Krishna Conciousness (ISKCON). It will offer 236 places and will cost in the region of �10 million. The group also wants to build a Hindu school in Leicester.

In 2007, faith schools accounted for a third of schools in England, including Jewish, Sikh, Muslim and Christian denominations. The local authority's approval for the new school follows the government's pledging of support for more religious schools where there is parental demand

http://www.somethingjewish.co.uk/articles/272_jewish_secondary_sch.htm - http://www.somethingjewish.co.uk/articles/272_jewish_seconda ry_sch.htm    A list of Jewish schools in the UK

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/01/31/nschools131.xml - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/01 /31/nschools131.xml   There are approximately 127 muslim schools in the UK. This article might give Brother Iftikhar some cheery news

 Martha, you have posted some informative links ( I have yet to visit them). Let us see what Iftikhar has to say about it. I may present my views later. Many thanks.

You love to demonize Western society.... in your comfortable loft in Britain that is.... hypocrite.

I remember, ages ago (or has it already started to sound that ancient, now?) I watched an interesting film "Stalag 17" or something like that.

Robertson Justice Junior was lined up, by the German guards, a foggy morning, along with all the other prisoners of war at that camp. That devil is reading out jokes, aloud, in the midst of it all.

A harsh German guard steps towards him. He snatches the book from his hands and shouts; "Was are you doing?"

"I am reading the Bible to my friends", replied Robertson Justice Junior (RJJ).

"You are trying to make a fool out of me" shouts the German guard.

"Is there any need to make a fool out of you, my friend" replies our RJJ. The whole crowd laughs!

Today, I look at your post, I feel like asking you, "Is there any need at all to demonise the poor west when the west is making such a good job of it?"

My friend, today, west doesn't need any help from anyone to demonise it leave aside a fine decent man like our Iftikhar Ahmed. West is doing a great job of demonising itself with all manners of her greed and criminal actions.

Where do you need anyone's help?

 I read the first post by Iftikhar. It is carefully worded and explains the problem. The suggestions given by Iftikhar are good and valid.

Brother Iftikah expressed his concerns over the lack of muslim education. I have previously replied to him with statisitics, that in the UK we have many Islamic schools. We can of course have more, but like all things it will take time.

Yes, everything takes time. All stangnate in a queue; education, poor peoples' hip replacements, increasing obesity, binge drinking, everything.

The only thing that happen immediately, in a flash, is bombing. Give our Hanglo Sexnons half a chance (specially if their English speaking cousins from across the pond are there) see how fast they bomb anything they see moving!

I'm wondering why Bro Iftikar chose to settle in the UK,if life here is so bad. Maybe he should have done his research before taking the step to move here. I have no problem at all with anyone making a life here.

It is all very well to criticise the sytem, but far better to do one's best to change what is felt to be unacceptable. I'm not convinced Bro Iftikhar is really doing his bit.

Politics doesnt always have to enter into our every day life of doing our best to raise our families, to teach them right from wrong, and hopefully give them a sense of pride in their own selves, regardless of which culture they come from. Problems arise when parents fail the children. Binge drinking could be one of those issues. I dont see that the fault lies anywhere else but from within the family system, and failing to educate our children to abstain from alcohol. Many youngsters roam the streets at night because they are either not wanted at home, or they feel unloved by their parents. Yet many thousands more are content with homelife and create no problem for society. As a westernised woman, I have had no problem with my children wishing to escape a loving home enviroment to pursue questionable pursuits outdoors. They are well adjusted young adults facing the world with the good morals they were taught.

I disagree with you Whisper, that everything is wrong here. Of course we can see the problems within politics, and with the way that the labour government handle it's policies. Soon the people will be able to change it's PM if they so wish. We need a change of PM. But I am interested to know why many asian settlers to the UK support the Labour Government when so much in their eyes is wrong within society.

 The health system provides, as much as it can a service to all, with the money that is available. There are delays, but despite this we still  have a good National Health Service. what other options are available? A private health care, such as in the US, or none at all, as in Pakistan? We are able to call the police, fire, coastguard and ambulance service with no charge. We have library facilities. So much.  Perhaps the millions we send abroad in foreign aid would be better chanelled into our own system. This would enable us to concentrate on those areas that Bro Iftikhar is mentioning.

We could debate this till we're blue in the face. But Bro Iftikhar does not respond. He is always the same. Until the time the changes he insists upon take place, I hope he spends his time teaching his children all they need to prevent them from falling into the pitfalls of society. But until then I'm afraid to say he cant have his cake and eat it as well.

I'm wondering why Bro Iftikar chose to settle in the UK,if life here is so bad. Maybe he should have done his research before taking the step to move here. I have no problem at all with anyone making a life here.

People from ex-colonies have been bled so hard that they were not left the luxury of "deciding" before moving with any such proper research!!

If you have become a Muslim, kindly, stop being terribly defensive about "my Graet Britain". Islam DOES NOT allow any national considerations. It is a concept, a faith of pure simple Human Rights and relations.

Sometime you sound outright racist.

Whisper wrote: Islam DOES NOT allow any national considerations. It is a concept, a faith of pure simple Human Rights and relations.

Assalam alikom

Who said that brother?

Yes,it's true that everyone who is Muslimh is FIRST loyalty must be to Islam..But I think that those "national considerations" are not forbidden.

I may say that sis.Martha is a muslim lady but she is also british.She(and also everyone else) should adapt to make both of identities live in harmony

Even if the deeds of her government doesn't embody islamic concepts,but if a conflict rose between the two identities the individual will feel lost and will not be productive.

It's my simple point of view actually.

And concering the main subject,I agree with sis.martha PARTIALLY.

The family system is number one in everything.Even if islamic schools were provided and the family was sleepy,the child may deprive from the right path by any other means.Islam always focuses on the role of muslim family first..

But I also see like bro.Iftikhar that providingsingle-sex schools for muslims and will have a good effect as well.

Just to think positively,Be sure that the family is good and they bring up their children islamically,parallel to working to provide these schools.

I'm wondering why Bro Iftikar chose to settle in the UK,if life here is so bad. Maybe he should have done his research before taking the step to move here. I have no problem at all with anyone making a life here.

People from ex-colonies have been bled so hard that they were not left the luxury of "deciding" before moving with any such proper research!!

Brother Whisper, Actually I was asking a question, not making a judgement in any way. But you have explained. Thats fine. I'm only interested why some choose to come, and what attracts them here. They surely feel there is some benefit, with the chance of a better life. Perhaps you can help me understand the reasons. Did you not also make the decision to move here some years back? I think I remember you saying you went to university in the UK. Was your time in the UK  that bad?

If you have become a Muslim, kindly, stop being terribly defensive about "my Graet Britain". Islam DOES NOT allow any national considerations. It is a concept, a faith of pure simple Human Rights and relations.

Sometime you sound outright racist.

Whisper, you are muslim also. But you have an allegiance with Pakistan. I have one with the UK.Our characters have been formed purely by the fact of where we were born and I hope that neither of us are racist, being muslim. Our beliefs in Islam often do not go hand in hand with our cultures. And traditions die hard in both our countries. And as of yet the UK is not an Islamic country. Having said that, you would have noticed in recent days that the Archbishop of Canterbury made a statement that Sharia law in the UK should be permissable in some instances for the muslims here ie Islamic courts for divorce, as the Jewish people already have. Does this not show consideration for muslim's human rights? Of course he came under a huge amount of criticism for this from others. As to what will happen over this is yet to be seen. But it is a step in the right direction regarding Islam. I'm sure other prominent figures will also voice agreement in the future. But coming back to the topic that Iftikhar started, I fail to see him acknowedging  the decent side of life in the UK that does exist. And his human rights here far outreach the ones he had in his Pakistan. And all help is available to him in the UK. But to constantly critisise 'the hand that feeds him' is not helpful in his quest to make those changes he feels are essential, and will perhaps do more harm than good, in a country that still does not have the foresight regarding Islam. Times are changing. And he should be patient. It does not happen overnight.

Well,

It is interesting that if someone criticizes a place they live in, people ask why son't you leave? If you criticize another place, its like be quiet you are not from here and don't understand....

People no matter where, don't like their faults pointed out. Rightly or wrongly.. lol

Who said that brother?

My brother, wataniyat (Gaads of nationality, nationalism and flags) DO NOT gel or mix with Islam, which is based on pure and simple huqooq el ibaad - Rights of los pobre Humanos!

Islam does not exist in a vacuum, but within cultures and societies.

Agreed, my dearest friend, agreed in toto. But it doesn't allow carving up of any Gaads of watniyat - nationality. Its content is universal and divine. Unfortunately, some apologistas of kings and emperors have made it look different.

One has to appreciate the benefits one is deriving from life in a non-Muslim country.

Again agreed in toto. Yes, those who are deriving any such benefits are more than welcome to swim in their gratitude of these benefits. I live in both the quarters and have failed to find any mid or long term benefits.

If you mean the benefit of having things, say, like a car then that failed to register this pobre hombre who had one long before he was sent to school in the great west!

Did you not also make the decision to move here some years back?

Says who? Do you have to move lock stock and barrel to a country if you are sent to a school there? All the nine of us were sent to schools, in the UK, obviously, at different times. And each one of us ran back home the day we had completed our courses.

I think I remember you saying you went to university in the UK.

No, I didn't chose a uni in England. I prefered Lebanon of that period. It helped me immensly to learn not just Arabic, but also a far richer culture.

Was your time in the UK that bad?

I don't consider UK as bad even today. I also live, even now, in Lancashire (in fact, I am going there tomorrow). I find the way you seek approval of Britain not just a bit sad but absolutely out of character with true Brits.

It seems you fail to understand is the deeper aspect of the United Kingdom. It was an exceptionally beautiful country before turning into a mini US - high rise apartment blocks, plasticky architecture, gun crime, McDonalds and the ensuing obesity + the ever rising spin, war mongering, people telling you all the time that you can't breathe without the help of some special relationship!

Brits defrauding Brits!

Whisper, you are muslim also.

Catch me ever quoting Islam or claiming to be a Muslim, I will mail you a free return flight voucher for Almeria. I wish you didn't assume so much and then we could be great pals.

But you have an allegiance with Pakistan.

Really? You are assuming again, for the simple reason that anyone who has allegiances, takes anyone to have them. If I write about Pakistan or, for that matter, about anything else, it has nada to do with any localised normal allegiances.

There is a strange madness that happens to run in the family. My father had offered his life (though, thank goodness, it wasn't taken) for the cause of the Spanish Republicans, for a whole two years in 1937 and 38, in the Spanish Civil War.

His grandfather had refused to issue a fatwa in favour of the then Amir of KABUL and his followers smuggled him out to India when a prize was secretly offeed for his head.

His great grandfather, Memrez Salik, was the first ever man in Afghan history to denounce our own Indian occupations and that too as their Military Governor!

I am inflicted by the same very madness - my ONLY allegiance is with JUSTICE, the basic rights of MAN (that term also includes wimin in the typical English expression)

My madness binds me to stand against any form of injustice, occupations and war mongering with whatever colour of spin. And, I have no sympathy whatever for any war criminals. And, as long as you do not try your war criminals, you are very much a part of those.

If you want people to feel good about Britain, get your boys out of every single country they occupy and prosecute your war criminals.