'Muslims think they are victims'

Wednesday, 17 September 2008 01:00

The Sun reports on Sadiq Khan MP's 'Fairness not Favours' pamphlet published by the Fabian Society, in typical lopsided style under the heading 'Muslims think they are victims'.

While listing extensively issues the Labour assistant whip thinks Muslims must tackle to improve their standing and engagement with wider society; English language competency, gender equality in mosques, and learning to take more responsibility for themselves and their families, it gives no space to the more fundamental argument on which the pamphlet is premised - promoting fairness, not dispensing favours.

Khan writes, 'We must reconnect with British Muslims because the Labour Party must be committed to – indeed, driven by – policies that target the most vulnerable in our society. If we look for inequality, for disadvantage, for opportunities denied,then we find far too much of it in Muslim communities. A party of social justice should not be embarrassed to want to help communities that are severely disadvantaged. This is firmly about fairness, not favours or fear.'

He goes on, 'The issues discussed in this pamphlet are not ‘Muslim problems’ and are not unique to Muslims. ...In this pamphlet I ... chart a route map that I hope will lead to greater equality and fairness.'

Ignoring the many recommendations that the Labour MP lists for the party and for various public institutions if fairness and equality is to be realised in Britain's Muslim communities, The Sun introduces the pamphlet as 'A Muslim MP thinks British Muslims have a “victim mentality” and need to take greater responsibility for their lives'.

Ironically, Sadiq Khan refers to the 'inevitable negative hysteria from the right-wing media' in speaking of the Single Equality Act and the need 'to promote equality and eliminate discrimination on the grounds of religion [which] will have a huge impact on the quality of lives of British Muslims.

Comments

Add New