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Multiculturalism has fanned the flames of Islamic extremism
TIMESONLINE ^ | 07/15/05 | Kenan Malik

Posted on 07/15/2005 7:53:01 PM PDT by Pikamax

Multiculturalism has fanned the flames of Islamic extremism Kenan Malik

ONE was a loving father. Another helped out in his parents’ fish and chip shop. All apparently chatted away as if they were going on holiday as they walked through King’s Cross station with their deadly rucksacks. It is the contrast between the ordinariness of the London bombers’ lives and the savage barbarism of their actions that is so shocking. But, then, few recent terrorists have resembled the caricatures of mad mullahs, bearded fanatics and foreign zealots that people the press. Many have been Western-born, Western-educated and seemingly ordinary. The shoe bomber Richard Reid was brought up in South London. His fellow conspirator Sajid Badat was born in Britain and educated at the prestigious Crypt Grammar School in Gloucester. Ahmed Omar Sheikh, convicted in Pakistan of the murder of the American journalist Daniel Pearl, lived in East London and was educated at the London School of Economics. Asif Hanif and Omar Sharif, the two Britons who carried out a suicide bombing mission in Israel, became friends at university. The most detailed study yet of al- Qaeda supporters shows that the majority are middle-class with good jobs. Most are college-educated, usually in the West. Fewer than one in ten have been to religious school.

There was nothing extraordinary, then, about the background of the London bombers. So why are these men, born and brought up in Britain, gripped by such a fanatical zeal for an irrational, murderous dogma, and seemingly possessed with a hatred for democracy and decency?

Muslims have been in Britain in large numbers since the 1950s. Only recently has fanaticism taken hold. The first generation of immigrants faced greater hardships and more intense racism than today’s Muslims do. Yet most thought of themselves as British and were proud to be here.

While that first generation often put up with racism, the second generation — my generation — challenged it head on, often leading to fierce confrontations with the police and other authorities. But however fierce those confrontations, we recognised that to fight racism we needed to find a common set of values, hopes and aspirations that united whites and non-whites, Muslims and non- Muslims, and not to separate ourselves from the rest of society.

It has been only over the past decade that radical Islam has found a hearing in Britain. Why? Partly because, in this post-ideological age, the idea that we can change society through politics has taken a battering. And partly because the idea that we should aspire to a common identity and a set of values has been eroded in the name of multiculturalism.

Over the past week, much has been said about the strength of London as a multicultural city. What makes London great, Ken Livingstone pointed out, was what the bombers most fear — a city full of people from across the globe, free to pursue their own lives. I agree, and that’s why I choose to live in this city. Multiculturalism as a lived experience enriches our lives. But multiculturalism as a political ideology has helped to create a tribal Britain with no political or moral centre.

For an earlier generation of Muslims their religion was not so strong that it prevented them from identifying with Britain. Today many young British Muslims identify more with Islam than Britain primarily because there no longer seems much that is compelling about being British. Of course, there is little to romanticise about in old-style Britishness with its often racist vision of belonging. Back in the 1950s policy-makers feared that, in the words of a Colonial Office report, “a large coloured community would weaken . . . the concept of England or Britain”.

That old racist notion of identity has thankfully crumbled. But nothing new has come to replace it. The very notion of creating common values has been abandoned except at a most minimal level. Britishness has come to be defined simply as a toleration of difference. The politics of ideology has given way to the politics of identity, creating a more fragmented Britain, and one where many groups assert their identity through a sense of victimhood and grievance.

This has been particularly true of Muslim communities. Muslims have certainly suffered from racism and discrimination. But many Muslim leaders have nurtured an exaggerated sense of victimhood for their own political purposes. The result has been to stoke up anger and resentment, creating a siege mentality that makes Muslim communities more inward-looking and more open to religious extremism — and that has helped to transform a small number of young men into savage terrorists.

There is nothing new, of course, in the use of terror tactics. What is new is the arbitrary, nihilistic brutality. In the past, whether we are talking about Palestinians hijacking aircraft or the IRA bombing British shopping centres, terror was always in pursuit of political or strategic aims. No longer.

The London terrorists — like those in Madrid, Bali and New York before them — issued no warnings, made no demands, left no list of grievances. Four men simply sneaked on to three Tube trains and a bus and without a word created carnage. For them, terror was an end in itself, not a means to an end. In this post-ideological age, few believe in political ends or have a vision of political change. Few actually believe in anything or can articulate what they believe in political terms.

All they feel is a sense of anger or resentment or rage. So terrorists just lash out. And without anything to believe in, without the moral restraints imposed by political activism, or the sense of responsibility to a cause or to a people, the unthinkable becomes possible. As in London nine days ago.

Kenan Malik is a broadcaster, author and lecturer


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: eurabia; eurotrash; islam; multiculturalism; radicalmuslims

1 posted on 07/15/2005 7:53:01 PM PDT by Pikamax
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To: Pikamax
Any culture that differs from the West cannot be inferior to the West. That's as immutable to the Left as the law of gravity.

Any culture that differs from us is by definition better than us.

2 posted on 07/15/2005 7:56:57 PM PDT by Starve The Beast (I used to be disgusted, but now I try to be amused)
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To: Pikamax
And partly because the idea that we should aspire to a common identity and a set of values has been eroded in the name of multiculturalism.

Republican Governor Ehrlich of Maryland had a point when he said that multiculturism (all cultures are equally good) was "bunk."

3 posted on 07/15/2005 8:01:20 PM PDT by Freee-dame
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To: Pikamax
young British Muslims identify more with Islam than Britain primarily because there no longer seems much that is compelling about being British.

...and there is something compelling about being muslim? Judas H. Priest. Beam me up.

4 posted on 07/15/2005 8:01:23 PM PDT by Migraine
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To: Pikamax

If "multiculturalism" is the problem then going back to your 3rd world hell holes must be the solution. Buh-bye.


5 posted on 07/15/2005 8:02:10 PM PDT by CO Gal (Liberals should be seen, but not heard..)
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To: Pikamax
But multiculturalism as a political ideology has helped to create a tribal Britain with no political or moral centre.

Someone's knockin' at the door, someone's ringin' the bell

6 posted on 07/15/2005 8:02:21 PM PDT by PGalt
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To: Pikamax
Why oh why do they leave their Muslim paradise and come in droves to the nihilistic West?
7 posted on 07/15/2005 8:03:41 PM PDT by CaptainK
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To: Pikamax
Yes, It's our fault moohamhead said to kill us where ever and when ever possible. I just know its our fault!
////// for the reality and sarcasm impaired

KIll A Commie For Mommie

Seven Dead Monkeys Page O Tunes

8 posted on 07/15/2005 8:07:58 PM PDT by rawcatslyentist ("If it's brown, drink it down. If it's black send it back." Homer's guide to drinking in Springfield)
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To: Pikamax
I remain convinced that multiculturalism + economic stagnation = bull market for the jihad in Europe.
9 posted on 07/15/2005 8:08:02 PM PDT by untenured (http://futureuncertain.blogspot.com)
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To: Pikamax

    Celebrate Diversity!

Remember that one?

Sure don't see too many lefties with that bumper sticker anymore.

10 posted on 07/15/2005 8:19:54 PM PDT by Balding_Eagle (God has blessed Republicans with really stupid enemies.)
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To: Pikamax
Islamic extremism is equate with multiculturalism? What a bizarre statement. Next thing you know, the culture that created KKK and white separatist movement will be multiculturalism.
11 posted on 07/15/2005 8:37:03 PM PDT by Fishing-guy
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To: Pikamax
No...the Koran and the pure interpretations from Mecca and Medina fan the flames of Islam...

The imams preach the purest form..which is why it is so attractive to the young and wealthy and semi educated among them...

It encourages youth to be the worst it can be...expressing the desire for power through selfish violence...rather than wait and mature and work and create wealth or give devoted service.

Power acquired the right way is merited... the beneficial kind of power and respect is earned not taken by violence or threats...it is a reward for.. maturity..hard work and unselfish devotion to others or to ones life calling.

The imams and their koran appeal to the worst in mankind and especially to youth...

imo
12 posted on 07/15/2005 8:38:27 PM PDT by joesnuffy (Does the Red Crescent have falafel dollies?)
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To: Pikamax
The man is absolutely right (even if some multi-culti enthusiasts seem too dense to get it.) Multi-culti will be the end of Western civilization.


13 posted on 07/15/2005 8:40:41 PM PDT by Revolting cat! ("In the end, nothing explains anything!")
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To: untenured

The Victim becomes the Victimizer.


14 posted on 07/15/2005 8:43:09 PM PDT by bethtopaz (Another dopeless hope fiend.)
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To: Freee-dame

I remember being surprised that Ehrlich said such an obviously true, but politically incorrect thing.

I wonder, did he ever do the customary groveling for forgiveness that usually follows from public figures who occasionally make such lucid statements?


15 posted on 07/15/2005 9:33:34 PM PDT by Aetius
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To: Aetius
I wonder, did he ever do the customary groveling for forgiveness that usually follows from public figures who occasionally make such lucid statements?

He clarified his meaning but did not retract his belief that all cultures are not equally positive.

16 posted on 07/16/2005 2:55:42 PM PDT by Freee-dame
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To: untenured

"A man receiving charity always hates his benefactor- it is a fixed characteristic of human nature" - George Orwell

A man receiving tolerance of an alien culture...


17 posted on 07/17/2005 1:56:48 AM PDT by H.Akston (It's all about property rights)
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