Don’t let forces of hatred divide us
ON MY commute home on the train after a long working week, I noticed a man glaring at me. I thought he must have had a bad day at the office or an argument with his wife, so I ignored him. To my surprise, he stood up and began hurling abuse at me, saying: ‘You should not be allowed to sit on a train while British soldiers are being attacked in Iraq and Afghanistan.’ I am an imam — a Muslim cleric — and wear long robes and a turban. Through good manners and behaviour, I aspire to portray the correct side of my muchmaligned Islamic community, alongside doing work any priest or rabbi deals with. I kept calm and tried talking to the man. However, he was not ready to listen to a word I was saying. I thought maybe some of the other passengers would speak up, but there was only silence. That’s why I have decided to share my thoughts with all those who travel like me on buses and trains, and who may have lingering doubts and suspicions about someone who looks like me. In 2010, before moving to the UK, many people back in Pakistan advised me to shave my beard and take off my imama (hat) and jubbab (robes) because I might face many problems in the UK. I replied: ‘You don’t understand. The UK is an equal, secular and multicultural country.’ I’ve always believed the British people are big-hearted, open-minded and tolerant. When I arrived, I did not face any problems at the airport — I was welcomed with a bright smile. I have not changed my dress style since then and have given many public speeches, sat on interracial committees and visited the House of Commons. I travel daily on public transport and until recently had never experienced any issues. But I have noticed a change. The first time I felt travelling on public transport was not safe was when I saw a leaflet that had been left on all the seats with the title: ‘Why Muslims hate Kafirs (non- Muslims).’ Now when I get on a train, I notice how people stare at me or even move away. No doubt there are evil criminals in the UK and abroad who may look like me. Some justify their sick ideology by claiming it represents Islam. However, don’t we all know it is ludicrous to say all white people were slave traders, all Germans were Nazis and all Muslims are terrorists? How could these criminals be representing Islam if 90 per cent of their victims, from Iraq to Egypt to Nigeria, have been Muslims? The Muslim community has fought and defeated Islamic State from the Middle East to Europe. More than 200,000 imams have spoken out against IS. I was part of the Imams Against Daesh (another name for IS) campaign, where videos were posted denouncing IS on Facebook, despite the dangers that can bring. That’s why what happened on that train hurts me. Was I wrong in thinking the forces of love and unity could overcome? I believe we are all cogs in a machine. Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists and those from all walks of life promoting peace and humanity. Lately, the forces of hatred are trying to divide us. Together we must stand up against that. It is a struggle we all share for unity in times of darkness, for resolution in days of uncertainty and for love in moments when hatred comes easy. We must resist fear and turn to love. We must keep Britain Great. IMAM HAFIDH MUHAMMAD EHSAN ULLAH, Luton, Beds.