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Arguments about the rise in Anti-Muslim Hate Crime

In an article in the Telegraph today  Woolwich outrage: we are too weak to face up to the extremism in our midst  Charles Moore challenges the ideas of a cycle of violence against Muslims and a growth in Islamophobia, throws the title Islamist around at a few undeserving people, and refuses to take seriously the violence, hate speech and hate crimes commited by members of the English Defence League.

It was two weeks ago (Sunday 2nd June)  that Telegraph writer Andrew Gilligan launched an attack on TellMama, an organisation set up to monitor anti-Muslim hate speech and hate crime.  His first article, The truth about the 'wave of attacks on Muslims’ after Woolwich murder was vigorously challenged by TellMAMA here,  Gilligan & the Reductionists.  Gilligan continued his attack last Sunday (June 9th) in another piece,  Muslim hate monitor to lose backing.  with TellMAMA's response here  Gilligan at it Again - Attack the Vehicle, Not the Data is Now the Strategy!  Word has it that we are due another installment from Gilligan tomorrow. Gilligan's main issues (and seemingly Moore's as well) seem to be that TellMAMA has what they regard as a very subjective reporting mechanism, that a large number of the alleged crimes are internet based,  that they exagerate their reports, that the government dont trust it and so are withdrawing funding, and that Fiyaz Mughal, director of TellMAMA is an Islamist who has lost his temper with civil servants.

We could have a long debate about TellMAMA's methodology, but the bottom line is its extremely difficult to monitor hate crime. The under-reporting because people don't trust the police is just one factor, hence the value of a community based organisation to bridge the gap. The Jewish community have had the Community Security Trust working to report antisemitic crimes for 19 years, and TellMama worked closely with them to develop its system. The police don't make it easy because each force has different reporting grids for hate crime, and only the Metropolitan Police in London records as a separate category crimes against Muslims. To have the separate category is not to say one crime is different to or bigger than  another, but does allow effective identification of trends following incidents like Woolwich.

We could argue whether social media hate speech is really an issue. That is to ignore all the holocaust and genocide research that identifies  stages of development: Classification, Symbolization, Dehumanization, Organization, Polarization, Preparation, Extermination, Denial.  Its all here.  It seems dramatic but its  a slippery slope. We dare not tolerate hatred and exclsion anywhere in any form.

We could argue about Fiyaz Mughal, his character, his politics, his credentials as a Muslim, and his links in the Muslim community. Much of Gilligans approach is to attempt to discredit the man.  But the effective reporting of hate crimes must be way bigger than one man and one organisation.  When TellMAMA was first launched it was only given a fixed term of funding, with the expectation being that it would become self sustaining from gifts in the community it serves, as with the CST. That has been well known to people working with TellMAMA.  Yes, Fiyaz is passionate about his cause, and he has not sought to deny or excuse his anger at officials, in fact from his words he seems to regret that. He may have spoken on the same platform as people the government doesnt like, or Gilligan doesnt like, but that does not make him an Islamist. In fact its frankly absurd!  The government in its folly will not talk to many Muslim groups, even the mainstream Muslim Council of Britain, so making it easy for others to tar them with the extremist brush. 

Bottom line, an effective structure for reporting anti-Muslim hate crimes simply must exist in a period of our national life when such crime is common. We cannot allow hatred of Muslims to become embedded in our culture, whether in the media, in speech or on the internet.  Speaking to my own community, Churches and Christian leaders need to speak against hatred and work with Muslims (with TELLMAMA and more widely if necessary), Jews and peope of all faiths to ensure no religion is stigmatised or its community left in fear. There can be NO place within the Christian community for the language of bigotry, exclusion and hatred. And together we need to work with police , Home Office and others to ensure standardised reporting mechanisms with the option of intermediary organisations like CST or TellMAMA or others.

(edited 12.35 Sun 16th June).

Sikhs, Muslims … and the EDL.

This past week once again community tensions in Luton made the news.   At the heart of the story was an allegation that “a 19 year-old Sikh woman … was reportedly beaten and sexually … by a "Muslim man". Not satisfied that the police were treating the issue seriously  enough, a large group from the Sikh community held a meeting and moved on to protest on the road outside Luton police station.  ( In the Telegraph: Luton: local Sikh community protesting over 'sex attack police failures' ; and in the local Luton News: Sikhs protest outside Luton Police station over ‘assault’ allegations )   Reports that the English Defence League were seeking to use the situation to promote their own focus on “Muslim paedophile grooming” raised the tensions, but the next day a series of meetings led to a lessening of tensions. (BBC Lookeast has Luton Sikh-Muslim protest: 'Positive' police meeting; the news item is available on youtube.  A follow up piece with an interview with Luton's Muslim community leader Zafar Kahn on Lookeast Thursday evening does not appear to be available.)

Another story involving tension among Luton's faith communities caused BBC Lookeast presenter Stewart White to ask Zafar Kahn on Thursday evening whether Luton really was in harmony?  This has become a regular question, and one which is poignantwhenever a story looks set to challenge our two and a half year old project Luton in Harmony. (I have written about it here.)  My response to is regular question is twofold. We are not so blind to think we have no challenges, clearly that wouldn't be convincing.  However there is a lot more good news out there than we get credit for, bearing in mind the diversity of the town. And second, when we have problems we work hard to face them. Luton in Harmony is not a spin operation, but an ongoing project and a commitment.

So what did Luton in Harmony look like this past week?  These are my notes of the week, a little modified to make sense to an audience:

Tuesday evening - I was not at the main protest, but heard of it after an evening out. I understand there were maybe 200 people;  the report of 20 EDL present was probably generous from reports I got. EDL leaders Stephen Yaxley Lennon ("Tommy Robinson") and Kevin Carrol were both there.  I arrived at the Gurdwara at about 10.30pm , some 500 metres from the police station where the protest was held.  The crowd had just been moved back to there, loosely contained by police, in part to keep them apart  from some wandering young members of the Muslim community.  Lennon was still there, working the crowd.  He knows me and came over, saying something like “See, they [gesturing to Bury Park, about 300 metres away) shouldn’t be allowed on the streets, dirty paedos. ….” He went to leave soon after and as he did was clearly talking to his main contacts among the Sikhs.  These were not community or religious leaders I know, nor younger mainstream community activists. He had apparently not been officially invited to the earlier community meeting by anyone in leadership, but he had been asked to come by someone. He clearly was seeking to widen his relationship base, but in my opinion it was pretty clear he was not well linked in.  There were Sikhs there from Birmingham and London. Possibly others.  Everyone was dispersing by time I left at 11.45.

Wednesday am - An early meeting of Muslim community and religious leaders initiated by the Chair of Luton Council of Faiths (and with all the key groupings of Mosques present) agreed to initiate a meeting with Sikh leaders.  A small number visited the Gurdwara to start the process – to offer sympathy , regret and concern, open up an agenda for conversation, and build confidence.  Early and frequent interfaith engagement at times like this is key, and throughout the day good and close interfaith relations were demonstrated on many occasions.

The media were outside the Magistrates Court  from first thing.  There was a strong but low key [public order] police presence.  Soon after  10.30 when I arrived it was confirmed that the Muslim lad had been charged and  hearing would be in the afternoon.   Kevin Carrol turned up soon after and not long afterwards community leader Jaswinder Singh Nagra. He told Carrol EDL were not welcome. When asked who had invited him to be there he could name no names.  He withdrew and called Lennon. He hung around and then left.  I did not see him again, and though I was around court several times contrary to reports there was no obvious EDL presence after that, even when the court case was finished.   

 I had meetings elsewhere, but after that met up with the Assistant Minister of St Marys Luton, and we returned to the court.  We spoke again to a few Sikhs outside, learned some more. We then went to the Gurdwara to offer sympathy and concern from the Christian Community.   We were welcomed by many, and offered the usual gracious hospitality and langar.  

Wednesday pm -- After lunch I joined the community leader Jaswinder Singh Nagra along with a group of some 20 in going to the court to be there for the court appearance.  There were no EDL present. The feeling on the public gallery in court was tense, and more so when the defendant entered.  The explicit nature of the witness statements understandably caused upset and led to a call for order from the magistrates. Fortunately everyone was quiet after that - being thrown out of court would not have helped emotions.

The immediate hearing was to hear the charge and fix a trial date and then assess bail. The charge was common assault; aparently the alleged victim would not press for any more than being held and injured. Witness statements indicate sexual assault or more, but if she won’t allow more the police cannot go further.   Most information came out as the prosecution argued that bail, usual for a common assault, be denied due to potential danger to the victim and family and to the defendant due to community anger. The magistrtaes bench gave bail with regular reporting  and curfew by electronic tagging  at an address away from Luton.  The Sikh community very angry – but many did understand that it was not possible to do more in circumstances. On leaving there was no indication of protest by EDL – it was raining hard at the time!

Wednesday evening -- A meeting hosted at the Gurdwara, chaired by Zafar Kahn of Luton Council of Faiths and with some 35 Sikh and Muslim religious and community leaders  and a few from Council of Faiths led to very open, honest and gracious dialogue, and agreed a working group to monitor this issue and look at actions forward from here. Allegations of police inaction will be discussed. Lasted just short of two hours.  Very positive, and a warm and friendly meal afterwards. Police and council had offered to attend but it was felt that with them, and local councillors, it would become political. Groups will meet subsequently with them.

Police and council had prepared for a large operation in event of another expected protest, and I had a team of community mediators on call.  However it was clear from all i was hearing was that there was already a growing confidence and any protest was being called off.  I drove around afterwards and all was quiet. No sign of EDL..

Some observations:

First, there was a real issue, and one that seemed be reinforced by previous history of community relations. It needed to be taken seriously. Icannot comment on whether the early response of the police was quick enough, but they and the community are loooking at the mattter

Second, the EDL have been seeking since their beginning to exploit historical issues between Muslims and other faith groups.  Their claimed  allegiance with the Sikhs was for a long time mainly through activist Guramit Singh, but increased community opposition and a statement, and Guramit’s departure has removed that.  I have heard rumours locally they have been seeking to cultivate the Sikhs but this was evidence of a link with a least a few.

Third, the Current EDL focus on Muslim grooming and paedophilia means that they are likely to try again to exploit community tensions over cross community relationships as well as more any rumour of organised grooming gangs.  They clearly make no differentiation between the two, though we know there are very different issues involved. 

Fourth, the capacity of structures and relationships in the town to quickly bridge comunities was key. Luton Council of Faiths has fifteen years of history (in its present form and its precursor) and was able to facilitate early conversations .  Those conversations need to be resilient enough to allow honest talking.  The very quick response of the Muslim community in Luton to talk about it and then meet with the Sikhs once again cut off the opportunity for the EDL to exploit this.

Fifthly, we need to remember that the EDL are regularly raising issues that do have some substance. We cannot ignore those, but we must not either be steered by their agenda. When these issues arise we need to act to take the sting out of their tail as quickly as possible.

NB:  The views here are my own and do not represent any of the above organisations or individuals.

 

Integration at last .... and Luton is praised!

We've been waiting a long time to discover what's at the heart of  the coalition government's wisdom on this ...

A big lunch, making music together .... so says the Guardian. Eric Pickles puts Big Lunch at heart of effort to unite communities

The English language and Christian faith ... says the Mail. 'We need community cohesion': Ministers' pledge to end era of multiculturalism by appealing to 'sense of British identity'

What the engaging Communities Secretary actually thinks is in the new Integration strategy here: Creating the Conditions for Integration. I haven't read it all, so I am not going to commment yet, as it would be easy to dismiss it and to be honest there does appear to be some good common sense in it.  

Not least among its good points is that Luton is singled out for praise!

We strongly encourage the different local partners to work together to drive action and to learn from each other in promoting integration and challenging extremism. Local authorities are well placed to take a leading role working through existing partnerships with the police, other agencies and the business and voluntary sectors.

Local areas need to create opportunity for all and tackle disadvantage by promoting economic regeneration. Alongside this they should ensure that extremist narratives are robustly challenged, that groups and individuals promoting division and prejudice are not implicitly endorsed by engagement or use of public buildings and that early interventions take place in order to protect vulnerable individuals. There have already been many excellent examples of locally-led action to build integration and challenge extremism. For example, both Luton Borough Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council have worked closely with community leaders, the police and politicians in their respective areas to address the problems caused by English Defence League (EDL) marches and protests. Luton hosted a national event alongside the police to help other local areas handle difficult protests involving extreme groups. We are exploring options with these two councils for them to jointly establish and lead a national special interest group to help local areas share experiences and best practice and promote locally driven action.

One cannot do other than take this as a recognition of good practice - and I believe we deserve it. But one cannot help but feel it must be yet another mark of contriteness for the appaling timing demonstrated in delivery of David Cameron's "Multiculturalism has failed" speech in Munich on February 5th, the day Luton was having to deal with  a large EDL demonstration.  We got a first dose of humble pie when Nick Clegg was allowed to deliver a speech here a few weeks later where he gave us quite a different view from Mr Camerons. We got another dose when a group from the DCLG came to talk to us about the emerging Integration Policy in July. They did actually ask us what we thought as well!  Whether it was our input, or  the differences of approach  in the coalition that delayed the policy (more likely I suspect) the fact that we are mentioned is rather pleasing. Not least that it mentions the role of community leaders.

We'll see what it says -- when we have time aside from actually getting on and dealing with the challenges of life -- and integration -- here ....

... which were admirably portrayed last night on BBC Three by Luton born and bred shop assistant turned minor celeb Stacey Dooley in "My Home Town Fanatics: Stacey  Dooley investigates".

Oh, and by the way, without prejudging the report, I do believe eating together is very important in building community. As is making music. And speaking English. And an acknowledgement of the Christian heritage of the British Isles.  But I believe there is more.

 

 

 

It's often the small things that make for peace ...

..... Like saying Happy Birthday!! Or celebrating a day that is special to your neighbours. Or telling a parent how proud they must be of their chuldren.

Its recently been the celebration of the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, a festival known as Mawlid or Milad. The Sunni Muslim community celebrated it on 4th February this year; the Shia do so 5 days later on 9th February. Its a time of rejoicing and food -- just like a birthday party should be! In Luton the Muslim community have been celebrating it with a parade through Bury Park for some years, but this year for the first time they made their way all the way to the Town Hall where a number of people were invited to speak. It was a very happy and peaceful occasion - as it should be!

I was invited to speak, along with the MP's, the deputy mayor, and a member of Luton Council of Faiths. Now I am not a Muslim, I'm a deeply committed Christian, but I work on the basis that there is nothing wrong with honouring your friends and neighbours by treating their special days as important. I don't see that as compromise!  On such occasions I go as I am, a Christian lay-leader speaking from the heart of my faith, and a peacemaker speaking about peace.

So thats what I did, and this is what I said:

Asalam Alaykum!

And in the language of my own worship liturgy: May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you!

It's a privilege to be with you today. The words I just used have formed a part of Christian worship for 2000 years and they express something of our own contribution to this special occasion. For in exchanging those words with one another at a central place in worship, we recognise the divine call to live as a church community in peace and unity; and to extend that peace to the wider community around us. Indeed as I left church this morning I was reminded of that call by words engraved in glass doors at our entrance: "Live at peace with all!"

It's so good to share this occasion with so many friends. And to enjoy the peaceful relationship to which both of our faiths call us. It is a testimony to that way of peace that we can honestly say we have seen peace triumph in the midst of conflict here in Luton.

Peace for me, and I believe for you, is not something passive, but is something we work at. Indeed my response to the accusation that Luton is a breeding ground of extremism, is to say I prefer to see it as a workshop for peace. And it is particularly appropriate that where some try to draw the battle lines between our faiths, that we turn that accusation upside down and instead we look to the central teaching of our faiths that promote peace, that call for mutual understanding in our of diversity, that command neighbourliness, and which encourage friendship!

My greetings to you all.

In fact its very similar to the start of a talk I  gave to a large number of young Muslims in April 2011 on peace. (I am not blogging much so its only two pieces down.) And its the heart of what I say so often. Its what I believe passionately -- that Christians and Muslims are called by the respective faiths to live in peace as neighbours, and more importantly that it is possible.

So much of it is about simple things like celebrating a birthday or a special occasion. Or saying nice things about someone's kids.

I did that a few years ago, and its one of the things that has won me a voice in the Muslim community. I was leading a workshop at an interfaith youth conference. There were youth groups from different faiths there. And in the conversations in workshops I was very impressed by a small group of young Muslim young men and young women.  So I told their youth leader. His face shone. He grasped my hands. And he and his group have never forgotten it. It cost me nothing, but it won a lot of friends.

Guess how I was introduced today?!

Peacebuilding involves some very easy and straightforward stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

Another world of difference

I've been missing being among many men who wear beards and women who wear veils, who dress distinctively and who maintain a life that is somewhat distinct from the majority in our town. Yes, I have been away from Luton over two weeks now, and I miss my Muslim friends.

But the last two days have made up for that.

We've been spending a couple of days in northwest Indiana in the US where there is a large number of Amish people, and other related Christian groups who live simply and preserve a somewhat distinct way of life to the majority of society. The Amish and their Mennonite cousins have always fascinated me, and since I spent a very happy three days staying with an Amish family a few years ago they have inspired me.

But they look so different. I sat looking around me this afternoon as we found ourselves at a pony auction, with all kinds of associated activities, and I sneeked a picture of the group sitting opposite me. (They don't like having a picture taken but a general shot like this was OK.) 

Take a look at the picture. Maybe click on it to enlarge it and study faces. What does the men's hat and beard or the woman's traditional bonnet say to you? What do the men's braces and baggy trousers, the women's modest dresses and sobre colours say about them? And behind the clothes lies a culture that does not tolerate drunkeness (and rarely drinks), that maintains very conservative sexual ethics, and does not use cars or electricity. They are easy to misunderstand, to criticise, to dismiss as irrelevant.

Yet from my three days among them, asking so many questions I must have driven my hosts mad, I found them to be a joyful and deeply faith-filled people. Their choice to live out their Christian faith emphasising a relatively simple lifestyle, a strong commitment to community, and a rejection of violence and war and commitment to peace was a deep source of inspiration to me. These are the treasure I found among those often called "the plain people."

Its easy to miss the point. The Amish have most recently been shown in the UK through a Channel four series, "The World's Squarest Teenagers"  (you can see fragments  on Youtube and follow the associated pages). To those who were around to see movies a generation ago, Witness was our first sight of these people. Watching either its easy to mock.  But many find the way of life and faith, even as portrayed by Holywood,  touches them and leave a mark deep inside.

I could write much more about these dear people.  My journey as a peacemaker has been marked by the teaching on peace of the Mennonite believers who went before. But for now to do so would be to miss the point of my afternoon's reflections.  I am challenged once again to look behind the beard and head covering, beyond the behaviours that are different, and to not let difference get in the way of relationship. 

And that is the challenge I must take home with me. 

 

 

Tomorrow St George's Square will resound with hatred.

As darkness drew in this evening I sat in Luton's St Georges Square as life carried on around me much as normal. Yet something was different.  It may have been that the number of police sirens audible was greater, but maybe I was just being overly sensitive.  It may have been that a greater number of people than normal seemed out of place, ill at ease with the place, suspicious. But thats so hard to quantify. The one thing I could definitely point to were the sounds of electric drills, saws, hammers, the sounds of windows being boarded up for a march which claims to be a peaceful protest against extremist Islam.  Peaceful - so why are people frightened enough to be boarding up the charity shop, the library, the blood donor centre, the mental health trust, the bakers?

Yes, the EDL (English Defence League) are coming to town tomorrow.  The EDL claim that they are dealing with the violence in their midst and that it is not their members (but as they dont have membership  thats easy).   They really don't get  the possibility othat a group of some 4,000,  mainly men, shouting curses at the prophet Muhammed and their faith is intimidating and inspires fear among Muslims.

This evening I was out in the square again, accompanying Luton's Street Pastors on their regular  Friday night patrol. It was a very different feel to normal. A  lot less clubbers. A lot more young men, being moved on from pub to pub, not even allowed to enter most of the time. Occasional taunts of E...E.... EDL.  A few Asians, Muslims, driving taxis,  on the doors, in the fast food joints; the rest have legged it home.

"Why?" I heard them ask. "How can they come here and so disrupt our lives?" "If they do live here why can't they talk to us properly?" Why, why, why? 

I share many of those why's. At one level I understand them, though not always agreeing. At another level I am puzzled, frustrated, angry. But then I also have to turn the mirror on myself, and ask "What can I, as a fellow citizen to those whose views I find so challenging, what can I do to deal with this?" I am working on that.

Tomorrow will be a difficult day for Luton. It will test our reslve to stick together. I went to the square earlier to pray.  It was hard; at the moment my hope is reduced. We have done all we can to prepare, but is it enough? My sitting in the square felt more like a lament than a prayer. But thats OK because Lament is prayer too.

I'm not against the people who are members of the EDL. They have some important things to say to us. We cannot paper over the cracks of division in the town again. But I am against violence, against bigotry and against hatred. And those things make it very hard for me to honour the EDL.  I will pray for them. I will reach out to them. But I cannot support them. 

 

News for the EDL! "Christmas Celebrations are underway in Luton!"

Despite the rumours we really do celebrate Christmas in Luton!

I'm just back from a wonderful start to the Christmas season -- an afternoon of celebration organised by Luton Borough Council concluded with the switching on of the Christmas lights by Mayor, Councillor Tom Shaw, and a prayer for the town this Christmas from new-in-post Town Centre Chaplain Michael Campbell. Following that many made their way to Market Hill for a short Christmas focused service hosted by Churches Together in Luton, featuring songs led by the Luton Community Gospel Choir.

OK, so thats nice!  But what really makes it news is the way it undercuts a threat made a few weeks ago by "Tommy Robinson", leader of the English Defence League (EDL) in the Times.

“We are now sending letters to every council saying that if you change the name of Christmas we are coming in our thousands and shutting your town down.”

The full article based on an interview with "Robinson" (properly Stephen Yaxley Lennon)  is behind the Times paywall, but is to be found here on "There's a lot of anger: Its about to explode"  (cited here on Islamophobia Watch).  The EDL's letter went on to warn that the average cost to a city council of preparation, policing and clean up for a big EDL demonstration was about half a million pounds. The letters seem to have gone out and news has been filtering out in local papers around the country of various councils that have been dismissing the threat - and the idea they had any such intent. 

Luton issued a statement this past week and it appeared in a local paper today: Councils will ignore pressure over the use of Christmas word. 

The EDL are clearly not just opposing extreme Islam here; they are trying to bring their influnce to the way people of different origins and beliefs in this country  live together. Opposing the multiculturalism of past years, and the impact that has had, or maybe more accurately in some cases, the impact they feel that has had,  on the place of traditional English culture, they are arriving rather late in the day to set their mark on the of this wonderful old chestnut.

A couple of years ago I took some time after Christmas to review the seasonal run of stories of opposition to Christmas from around Britain, starting with a report from Luton which some have held to be the frontline of the "War on Christmas"  (27th December 2008).  My conclusion:

So what is the state of play of Christmas around the nation? The stories are generally petty (but nonetheless important to those affected), localised, do not generally represent the other faith communities (and certainly not the mainstream), but rather local authorities, and they are reported exclusively in the [right wing press].  

It is not the other faiths that has the problem with us celebrating Christmas, but a few secularist local authorities.  (In passing, I've also noted the encouragement of other faith leaders for us as Christians to celebrate Christmas as fully as we can ( 'Put Christ back into Christmas' 2007 ) and some thoughts from one of our Church of England leaders, Bishop Alan of Buckingham ( "Faith speaks to Faith" Nov 18 2008; I am sure other Bishops have similar thoughts, but as a leading CofE blogger Bishop Alan's thoughts are better known!)   Indeed late 2008 saw a remarkable serie sof exchanges between Muslim and Christian Leaders, among which was a "A Muslim Message of Thanks and Christmas Greetings".)

The irony is that the event today was planned in the summer and with no idea of the threat that would emerge from the EDL. When that threat did appear I have to say I read it with a sense of "we got there first!"  While the article on Luton's response to the EDL threat says  "Christmas has always been celebrated in Luton", it is true that todays festivities represent a more active involvement by the churches in the town than in the past decade. 

Frankly I am not going to quickly jump in to judge Luton Borough Council. The changes that we faced in a town like Luton as a result of a population drawn from many places did place strains on them as to how to deal with people from different faiths fairly. In retrospect they could have done it differently, but it is very easy to speak with the wisdom of experience.  I think we are all agreed we need to review multiculturalism, so lets do that positively.

As for the churches we too now have the benefit of experience. We are learning once again to play out part on the civic stage, but maybe to do it a bit differently now. We may have withdrawn too quickly, we may have suffered from a crisis of confidence, but lets learn the lessons now.

The important thing is that here in 2010, the Churches are celebrating Christmas on the public stage here in Luton. We will do so confidently and yet I hope humbly, as befits followers of  Jesus Christ. We have not needed to make threats to "shut down the town because it panders to multiculturalism." We have not done so by bad-mouthing Muslims, and so many others as well.  We have not done so by claiming to demonstrate peacefully, and yet in reality intimidating and bringing fear to a whole town.  We are able to take that place because we are working together with people from across the cultures and faiths of Luton for unity and harmony.

I was sad at one thing tonight. That probably very few if any members of the EDL were there to experience what they have been calling out for. I hope I was wrong.

 

There is life apart from Luton!

Once upon a time I used to get around rather a lot! Now I catch the bus up and down the road into the centre of Luton!  I see as much of the world and the diversity of the people God made for it there as I ever did in my travels!  I love the work I have found myself doing these past three years, and especially since early 2009. This town has won my heart!

However I have to confess that there is another place in my life.  For many years now I have had a deep sense of call to the great nation of China. For some years I was working there regularly, in particular taking groups for cultural exchange. I have visited many places around the nation, have many friends there, and love it.  Maybe more on all that another time - maybe!  In 2008 my wife and I enjoyed the Olympic summer in China  based in Nanjing - and while we went with no real intention to attend the games, or even to get to Beijing, we did in fact get to one of the top nights of Athletics in the Birds Nest!

The focus of my work here in Luton and there in China is the same - peacemaking and reconciliation. Working in China I am deeply aware of the lasting legacy of the history of the relationship of Britain, and the west, with China.  As British people we did some pretty awful stuff. Its true of other nations as well.  I am also very aware of the impact of China's own internal history, during the Empire, under the nationalist government of Chiang Kai Shek, and through the Civil War and the terrible years of Mao's Cultural Revolution, and even more recently.  As a Christian I am also deeply aware of the issues surrounding the church in China, and the deep challenges in relationship between the Registered Church (often called the Three Self patriotic Movement) and the unregistered church.  We have spent many hours talking over these things, and on several occasions I have been able to take groups to visit and become aquainted themselves with all that has taken place. And in recent years I have been building relationship with a Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Nanjing University.

As I have found myself getting more and more involved in Luton, I have often wondered where China fits. For various family and personal reasons it was not the time to take forward any plans there, but there has always been a sense of "What now?!"  So now I am going back for 10 days to see one or two people in particular, renew several friendships, talk to a few people and to see what if there is anything more for me there just now.I don't expect we will be leavign Luton -m at least not any time soon!  But it will be interesting to see what can or might be.

I'll be posting some  pieces on here on China these next days. Or to be true, probably cross posting with my dedicated - but rather neglected - China site www.ChinaEncounters.co.uk  . There maybe some stuff on regaular fare as well - Muslim Christian relations, Luton, etc.  as that is never very far from my mind.   

Muslims in Luton: "We know the church stands for love."

Last night I shared an hour of discussion on our new local community Muslim radio station with a fellow Christian and two Muslims. Our topic - inevitable really - "Is hatred part of your religion?" had us talking about Qu'ran burning, the BNP, the EDL, and Islamic extremists. It was a good conversation between friends - Yes we are friends!

However it's always a little sterile being on radio and you wonder what people are thinking out there. In fact was anyone there?! And yes they were! I had an email earlier from Muslim colleague who had been hearing from people who had been listening.

"My dear Christian brothers,

I have got some very good feedback for our talk yesterday on the Radio from some people of the Muslim Community, saying its was so refreshing to hear what you said and how Christians are so supportive to Muslims and how they really appreciate that. (There were lots of good words for you and I just summarised it in one line).

"I was pleased at what Fiaz pointed out, that we learnt as kids that when we think about the church what come in our mind is Love and Christ's love. It was so good to heard that ... I can endorse that ... and it was good to hear the same thing from him...Great Scholars like Hamza Yusuf from United States publicly say that as well.

Lets keep the good work in the name of love!"

So encouraging!!! I am frankly embarrassed. If only we could live up to that expectation.

Spared from Burning Qu'rans. But we still need a lot more love.

Update: In the light of the current uncertainty as to whether he will burn Qu'rans or not, I will subtitle this:

"We may be spared from burning Qu'rans. But whatever the case we defininitely need a lot more love."

I shouldn't really be so surprised by it, but hatred, fear and intolerance really are so very destructive!  And by comparison, friendship and acceptance are so rich!!  This observation makes sense of the words of one of Jesus' early followers, John (in the Christian Bible 1 John 5.18):

There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear.

I don't claim to be anywhere near that perfection, but I do try, and to be honest it feels good and it is easier the more you do it.

After all the silly business of the past few days as we anticipated the horrible possibility of an American Christian Pastor burning 200 Qu'rans, we can now turn our attention for a few moments to joining with our Muslim friends and neighbours and wishing them greetings for Eid.  I just wrote on my Facebook page:

Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends!! I appreciate you, and am richer for the different things you bring to my life. We are different, and I am not about to ignore that, but those differences need never stop us being friends or working together. And I trust that while there is hatred out there, we will continue to find ourselves growing closer. Have a great holiday!!

As I did I was thinking about what I was doing. Was I "posing for the camera", creating a good show because that's my work?  Did I have my tongue in my cheek? Did I mean it? Was I being disloyal to my Christian faith, selling my soul for favour with people I should really be hating?

No, I am glad to say after all that analysis, I can honestly say I did it because I meant it!!  I do it because that is what I believe love is, the way I have been commanded to live. And I did it because that way of living is becoming a little more natural, my first response. Paul, another early follower of Jesus Christ put it this way (Galatians 5.6):

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. 

I can have all the wonderful theology, but unless it translates itself into love that is a reflection of the love I believe Jesus brought into the world it doesn't count for a lot. In fact John, the follower of Jesus I referred to above went so far as to say this (1 John 5.7-8):

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God.

Sadly for all the fact that we are spared the immediate threat of a big bonfire of the book that to my friends is sacred, hatred has not gone away, not even for a day. While I hope my Muslim friends can take a well deserved holiday after the rigours of a month of fasting, we must go on addressing the horrible destructive power of hate. I wrote a piece last night while the news was breaking that it was on hold  - my focus was on a message from the church's to our Muslim leaders, the mosques and the wider community. Burning Qu'rans is not good for Luton  I awoke this morning to find the agreement that Pastor Jones thought he had on the "Ground Zero Mosque" was contested, and maybe never happened. (Was that just a face saver for a backwoods leader of a small local church who found he has become a big time player?) Even now fires are burning in Afghanistan despite the Pastors decision. I am sure they won't be the last. This weekend there will be a protest against the "Ground Zero mosque", and English Islamophobia will stand alongside American Islamophobia, as members of the English Defense League participate (even though their leader "Tommy Robinson" has been denied entry to the USA). The EDL themselves are planning another hate-fest in Leicester which is galvanising the local community. And in The Netherlands Islamophobe Geert Wilders is still working to get a place for his party in the coalition government despite a lot of opposition. The EDL plan to join in things there too as Wilders defends himself against a charge of hate speech.

Religious Intolerance is rife and growing in the nations of the west as well as much as it is established in the Muslim world. Lets not deny it. In the USA the other day, goaded by the prospect of a bonfire that could light many many fires, Christian Muslim and Jewish leaders met to talk about what to do. Patrick Cockburn wrote in today's Independent:  The fires of religious fury are easily lit but hard to put out  His focus was on the continued pressure against Christian communities in Iraq, Pakistan, and across the Muslim world. Its true. No one can deny it. But lest we be accused of being hypocrites lets work for as much freedom from fear and hatred for our Muslim neighbours as we expect from them, No, in fact I will go further, let us unashamedly give them more - because that is in the nature of love.

I was glad to note the contribution of  Rev. Richard Cizik, president of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good:

“To those who would exercise derision, bigotry, open rejection of our fellow Americans of a different faith, I say, shame on you. As an evangelical, I say to those who do this, you bring dishonor to those who love Jesus Christ.”

May many more voices like this arise. Eugene Cho in Seattle who leads a multicultural church there is one who leads the way on a different approach to such issues that divide our world; he wrote: What would Jesus do? Burn the Koran or eat with his Muslim neighbours?  He makes reference to another Christian leader there in Seattle  reported here in the Seattle Times.  Its not all bad news.

There may be a respite from the threat of burning Qu'rans. There may be some good news out there.  But my message is very simple. We  still need a whole lot more love. And a lot less hatred.

Once again, to my Muslim friends. Eid Mubarak!