Radicalisation and Muslim youth of UK

By: Amjad Malik

Whilst strongly opposing the proposed extension in 42 days detention on terrorism charges, Muslim community is confronted with one of its own self denial whether 'adicalisation' exist and or on the increase in the Muslim Youth in Great Britain. I would try to highlight some of the contributory factors which are relevant in order to initiate a debate and or to organise a process to curb such extremism. Newspapers in press and electronic media have left no stone unturned to project Abu Hamza and Omar Bakri as the spokesman of the Muslim community in the last decade where as the good of community were never projected in the same tone. The work of organisations, net work of mosques and activities of Muslims in general are peaceful and law abiding in an atmosphere where they feel vulnerable in general due to first 9/11 and then 7/7 tragic incidents. Trail of terrorism related legislation and finally Government's untimely discussion over "˜Hijab', bearded Muslims and forced marriages deprived the opportunity to strengthen the links between ancient civilisations and put emphasis on tolerance and curbing militancy jointly. Whilst Govt. is allowing media for selective negative publicity of this minority whilst other groups are carrying on their work to fuel the fire and recruit young minds towards radical and Islamist activities, though regrettable but a real threat to de harmonise the bilateral community relations. This cornering strategy has portrayed Muslims as a victim in the Great Britain and they lost the drive of self accountability as it was impossible to fight on two fronts. Radicalisation is at increase and yes, Young Muslims aged 16-24 are the prime targets of the radical groups who used annoyance, attitude and their loneliness as an excuse to incite them towards 'evenge.' What are the causes of youth falling prey to such outfits is multiple in number and dimensions and we analyse one by one the core reasons:

a)    communication gap: there is a generation gap between dual nationals came in 70's for economic betterment whose only lust was to make economic betterment in their life style abroad and to make their future here and return in good time. Their children do not have such baggage and their priorities have changed from economic betterment to compete with locals, professionalism, football and integration in English culture. This led to individual development other than that of a group. This communication gap and change of goal post in families have caused the biggest rift where living under the same roof, parents sometimes are clueless about the likes and dislikes of their children and children culturally bound are scared to tell the truth. This situation in a few lead to a situation where forced marriages take place too where consent is missing. Language has also played a big barrier in expressing their views rightly, first generation sticking to their mother tongue whereas British youth preferred to speak English, watch football and hang around with their age group. If those young minds are lonely, feel betrayed or have a tragic episode in their lives and they are disillusioned, they have a potential to fall a prey to gang masters or outfits breeding religious lawlessness.         

b)    Lack of community support: Muslim youth do not have any support network where whilst holding their ideas, and belief they could interact with other age fellows and parents at a network which is sound, fool proof and thoroughly supervised by elders of the community. Mosques could have provided that platform but they are themselves enslaved of their sectarian compulsions and religious order thus community net work on ethnic or nationality basis was the only alternative which is mainly preoccupied by pensioners who are unwilling to retire unnecessarily. Thus Muslim youth remain voiceless, without a platform and without guidance and clear objectives. Funding too could be the real reason of the lack of such infrastructure, but to me political will seems more the cause.

c)    Lack of governmental support: the main important aspect of young minds to feel neglected is that despite having degrees they are jobless. If they are on the streets they are stopped more, and they are not that obedient as were their predecessors. They know their rights, which are not given easily. Their negative activities are projected more and there is no fund to accommodate young Brits on a forum or a platform where they could express themselves. Young children have NSPCA for protection from cruelty, birds and animals have RSPCA to ensure their welfare but Muslim youth has none, and nowhere to go. Some of the organisations working already in the field need cloned participants and are granted conditional funding which does not help either, as if you do not follow their do's and don'ts you may not be able to seek membership successfully. I think if Muslims and Pakistani youth is administered as the Jewish community or Indian doctors community or Black African communities have done by their own general public the results would be fantastic, or alternately govt spend some money to provide national outsourcing, a platform where these people can rightly participate as a community. Govt need to support the youth to walk on their feet before they could run on their own.

d)    Foreign Policy reasons: Wars in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan are true foreign policy considerations which has forced the young minds to feel neglected at home when their religion sakes are beaten abroad. Commenting on George Bush's policies is the hobby of Asian or Muslim youth only because of their own treatment, unemployment, lack of preference in jobs in Civil service, judiciary, police force, armed forces and or Parliament at home. Deprivation of young educated minds in the early days of their careers are trapped in red tape polices are devastating and very ambiguous approach of govt on their foreign policy decisions is causing the may hem.  

That is the very key which is exploited by outfits at places where such commodity is heavy in number(s) such as outside mosques with leaflets, universities, local deprived areas, crime hubs and playgrounds and they are working freely in UK in disguise, they first speak to youth and then invite them to their gigs and initiate from leafleting to a trap which lead the young minds to their own battlefield. From experience as a lawyer interacting with British youth I regrettably of the opinion that young British Muslims who are studying in their early university days, or unemployed after graduating or living in deprived areas without hope for future are vulnerable and all because of lack of community net work, parental neglect and lack of Governmental support.  Muslim youth suffers due to lonely life style and cultural and religious compulsions which force them to get attracted to the people in masks who in the name of religion teach the kids something which are not in Quran and of which parents have no knowledge of it. "˜Death of a man is a death of a mankind' is a true version of humanity as per Quran, therefore responsibility is greater to save the coming generations from underlying increasing problem before it's too late. It's time that British Government takes true Muslim representatives on board unconditionally without the bribe of peerage or seat in the houses of parliament to tackle the problems confronted by Asian and Muslim Youth. It's all about winning the hearts and minds in the fight which is being fought all around and Britain is losing so far  and British Government needs to take concrete measures whilst beefing up security, to ensure public safety and steady multi religious & cultural relations of communities in Great Britain. 

Amjad Malik is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court (England) and a political analyst based in UK

11 August 2008