Delegation of Muslim Community in UK to Echorouk: “Britain is the Muslims best European country despite escalation of racism and Islamophobia”

Members of the Muslim community settled in Great Britain asserted that the UK is the best country for Muslims nowadays in Europe in terms of freedoms.

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• The delegation, which visited Echorouk newspaper, said the Muslim community is now living in better conditions compared to the rest of Europe, despite a rising of racism against them in the recent years by the extreme right.
• Mohamed Ali Elmoussaoui is a British of Iraqi origin and a researcher in the fight against extremism, said that the situation of Muslims in Britain noticed a change following the 11 September 2001 events in New York and London bombings on July 7, 2007.
• “Changes were inevitable following these events and government was obliged to hunt the promoters of terrorist ideas, thing which finds a great response by the community against those who disturb the Muslim community and Britain. Government was also obliged to take such security measures”, he said.
• Abdullah Saif, a lawyer of a Yemeni origin added that the situation of Muslims in Britain resembles the British citizens’ situation enjoying full rights including human and religious rights and everything is provided to them including health, security and education.
• “Regarding the Muslims’ issues such as terrorism, British government now uses a new strategy in its relation with the Muslims following London bombings, now it gives more importance to them and care about their needs”.
• “However, racism increased in Britain and this is a severe problem and the phenomenon of extreme right against Muslims is a real danger, while in the past blacks, Jews and soldiers were the target”.
• Kada Ben Daha, Algerian graduated in management and living in Britain for more than 15 years said; “Bad advertisement against Islam has served greatly and push many British people to accept Islam, read and ask about it, by contrast, the Muslim community took advantage through combating extremism and talking more about Islam”.
• Kada defends Islam in Leeds along with other Muslims, where they tried to fight ideas which try to damage the Islam’s image, including Media and government.
• Mouna Hamitouche, a British Algerian, member of the Municipal Council of Aiselton in London, said; “History of Britain is well known compared to the French Empire which has the spirit of containment. When you live with British people you can remain on your culture the opposite of what France did to its colonies. The modern UK is continuing on the same path of the old empire, as it accepts other ethnics and communities as units which do not break away from their identities”.
• Representatives of the Muslim community in Britain said they live away from any pressure in a country that respects religious freedom, and where there are two thousand mosques and 1500 minaret.
• The UK is the only European country which accepts the veil without any problem, while it is controlled in some Muslim countries.
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• 1,800 Algerian people hold sensitive positions in UK
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• Islington Councillor Mouna Hamitouche said the Algerian people living in the UK are divided into three parts but they do not contact each other.
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• “A total of 1,800 Algerian people hold senior positions and contribute in the UK’s economy. Of them, there are teachers, directors and bank employees,” she added.
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• “The second part includes students and simple workers. Some 12,000 political refugees live in the UK. A large number of them have modest intellectual level.”
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• She also said the Algerian people living in the UK find difficulties to enter the society as they have to know about rules, nationality and trainings. “The system is not bureaucratic there but rules and discipline are more than necessary.”
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• Speaking about Muslims’ political practices, Hamitouche said the UK’s system is open-minded and its people have been living in democracy for 1,400 years. “Political institutions started before democracy. Any new comer to the UK has his or her chance in the social and political life.”
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• Meat will be halal
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• A restaurant owner in Leeds said all the meat will be halal in the UK in the next two years because the British people deal on trade and economy basis.
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• “Demand on halal meat and foot is on the rise. Now, even non Muslims eat halal meat,” Kada Ben Daha told Echorouk Forum.
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• The Algerian community’s representatives said the UK government does not see them as terror supporters in the region nor does it consider them as a threat.