are Muslims doing enough to integrate with British society and are we reciprocating?

Question

not racist.....answers from all cultures please

Answer 1

Integrating into another culture is always difficult because anyone from another background will see that there are things in their native culture they see as preferable to the equivalents in their host culture.

Giving up everything of their own background is not something that a host culture should demand of immigrants (whether first or second or third generation).

However being subjected to the same rules as the indigenous population is something that should be expected, so quite frankly I fail to see why rules for passport photos should be relaxed for those of immigrant cultures. It creates a lot of bad feeling. If a Scotsman wants to fly he has to remove the knife from his sock. If a Muslim woman wants a passport she should have to bare her head like everyone else. Or get a passport from her family's country of origin.

And immigrants from whatever background and of whatever generation should make a real effort to take an appreciative interest in the historic culture of the land they're living in. For all that's said about the colourful Mohammed al Fayed (owner of Harrods) and the fact that the UK government won't grant him citizenship, he's a popular enough figure in the area of Scotland he lives in and looks rather dashing dressed in a kilt! Some of his ideas don't work out, but he does seem to display a measure of understanding and appreciation of the local culture and needs and a willingness to participate actively but not arrogantly.

Perhaps this is the area many Muslims have been very weak in. I do think that most Muslims need to try quite a lot harder to appreciate where the locals are and the background and culture the locals themselves come from.

Answer 2

I am a practising Muslim and as far as I am concerned I have integrated into British society - I was born here, call myself a Londoner and a British Muslim, know my neighbours quite well, have several non-Muslim mates, I voted in the last elections, supported England during the Ashes - is this what you call integration?? Most would say yes, however, if tomorrow I decided to wear a headscarf or a veil, would people automatically assume I have not integrated, or do not wish to integrate? I think that's what people would assume, and therein lies the fear - we judge instantly on appearance in too many cases, based on sensationalised stories from the media. I would still be the same person, only wishing to follow my beliefs and become a better human being - still not wishing harm for anyone else.
The question is too vast for a simple yes or a no - much more debate is needed. It is a matter of people's values and non-muslims must stop tarring all Muslims with the same brush. (Good question all the same!)

Answer 3

I think Muslims are being treated terribly. Every day, someone is demanding that they prove they're anti-terrorism, pro Britain, will dress western etc.

It's wrong. People are playing into the hands of war mongers and extremists. Blair and Bush love this silly culture divide, because it makes people accept the crimes they commit in the Middle East. Bin Laden (if he exists) would love the split of cultures too.

We should stop judging British Muslims and understand that they really want to be part of the community and just get on. Let's be a little more open.

*** Just to explain to all the ignorant:

Muslims follow the Islamic faith. A faith isn't a nationality, so a faith can't 'go home.' If people were a little more educated, we might get along more.


***** Jamand - you are a unoriginal tw*t and not intelligent enough to comment on this subject. Stop living in fear you wimp & face our nation of mixed colour, culture & faith. You might learn something and discover your fears are plain silly.

*** Jimmy two times (great name) - The BBC poll, like many polls gets twisted. Muslims have a deep concern about the issues that the bombers used as an excuse. I totally detest any terrorist, as any normal person does. But Muslims recognising the anger that Iraq provokes isn't the same as supporting a bomb killing 52 people.
I know some Asian people act in the way you mention. With boy racer cars and jumping the queue. But go to Southend (if you dare) and you'll see a load of white lads dressed in fake Burberry, driving Nova's and being abusive.
My point is, stop seeing people as 'the Muslims' and see people on face value.
I get annoyed when a whole faith group is told to meet these demands, or get lost. There's no reason for it.
How can we ever move on, unless we accept each other and try to see the best in people? Britain is great, because we're diverse and educated in other cultures.

Answer 4

Pretty much yes.

I worked with alot of Muslims once and like anyone the first thing that is immediately obvious is personality. Most Muslims are just like everyone else they know there Muslims but they just do thier job or be a friend or Mother or whatever.

Then there are a few who really feel comfortable because they are with Muslims but thats like any group Christians Whites or Blacks or whatever. your find people like that who just prefer or feel easy around people from a similar background and they can be themselves without feeling like they have offended anyone and they can talk politics and speak freely. But sometimes those people do not know how to listen to others who have a different view or they view differently and sometimes they can very obnoxious and pass judgements all the time.

My point of view is that whatever you find in one culture is usually also around in others although somtime not so prominently.
Generall most people are peace loving but them there is always people from every different group who are quite nstrict or conservative usually with themselves first but then everyone else afterwards.

But what I do think is that most Muslims put there religion as their identity first so they will say "I am a Muslim" when most of us are like "I am a human being" and religion is more private.

It is also a fact that those Muslims that do integrate do integrate well and success and that those that dont remain on the fringe and will do so as pretty much aliens. As WE say Mohammed must go to the Mountain and not the Mountain go to Mohammed.

Answer 5

I can only speak for my area, but where I live muslims have integrated very well and contribute a lot to the economy and society. This is why I am somewhat baffled when I hear talk that the muslim community refuses to assimilate. Perhaps it is more of an issue in the more deprived areas of the U.K where antagonisms are more profound due to a lack of ability to economically progress and cooperate and also a lack of mutual understanding. It tends to be the case that minorities who come from a more financially sound background are more likely to integrate into western culture, in which case the public would probably be unaware that they are muslim and overlook their integration. The rest, who appear to not integrate, are not solely muslim, and much of the antagonism comes from this focus on the muslim community alone, which seems very unfair.


edit

untanuta- the reason why you are getting a thumbs down my friend, is because you are wrong. Check you history books, ever heard of the IRA, ETA, the Zionist movement in the 40's, and MANY more?? No, didn't think so love.

Answer 6

To address the "get up" question, the whole face covering thing thats not religious thats purely cultural, orginating from saudi, to protect the face against very bright sun and dust....really not sure why women wear it this country... to be honest i think its one of two things, either making a statement, or they have been told too...but its definately NOT religious

Im muslim I have born and lived in this country all me like done all the normal things... people think muslims are dark or tanned skin, but in fact it doesnt matter what race you are... so you could be sitting next to a caucasian male and that person could be muslim...so I feel its safe to say that muslims as a whole integrate well... but as with any religion, race or nationality there are exceptions to every rule.

Answer 7

Too much of a sweeping statement. There will always be some Muslims who are very hard-line, others who are more tolerant. That goes for Christians, Jews, Hindus and just about every faith.
Any Muslims I have known have gone to normal interfaith schools, have been happy to send Christmas cards etc, whilst at the same time continued to worship in their own way and eat their own special diet. That's all completely normal. In return we have built places of worship and many places where there is a high population of Muslims, Birmingham Airport for example, have provided special places in the toilets to allow washing of feet before prayer in running water.

Answer 8

This whole integration thing has only started up because of the terrorist bombs. All the fuss about Muslim women wearing veils really got me. Muslim women have been happily covering up for years, no problem, then this government turns the spotlight on them as if they're the ones causing all the problems. There is the old adage 'birds of a feather flock together', i don't know if this is wrong, it's certainly natural .... isn't it?

Answer 9

No and yes. The British people shouldn't have to bow down to any other culture's as this is their country with their own religion and traditions. Immigrants to this country should be trying to fit into the British way of life without losing their identity, religion or traditions or culture, like I have!

Answer 10

The only thing I have heard that is not quite fair is the fact that some muslims do not allow their women to work. Because of the fact that they have children and sometimes their income is not enough to support the family, they take advantage of the system to get allowances whereas if their wives were working, they wouldn't have to try that.