We are told that people should not be characterised by one identity. ” Multiple identities” is the new in vogue phrase that has come to inhabit post 7/7 discourse on identity in Britain. Alongside being a Muslim, I am also British as I was born here, my father and mother are from India and South Africa (of Indian descent) respectively To a large extent I identify with London as this has been my home (bar an aberrant year-long stay in Leicester, but we won’t delve into that). But none of these elements that identify me radically impact my life besides the first. I am Muslim and that has the most far reaching impact upon my life. Being Muslim impacts decisions I make, including life changing ones. This may sound simplistic, and maybe it is, but it nonetheless defines me in a way that no other label has the capacity to do. This may seem odd to some, primarily because we are told not to define ourselves so narrowly lest it lead to the existence of parallel communities, ghettoisation and to terrorism. Politicians and media pundits have been at pains to make such claims ad nauseam. I believe this link is non-existent in any real sense, except in the minds of those with loaded political agendas. Then there’s the new fangled belief that we all need to participate as “citizens” (whatever that means) rather than within narrow minority identities.
For me identity is inextricably linked with values not geography.
When I am asked to adopt “British” values I am plunged into confusion. The values that define Britain today, not unlike the English language itself, are borrowed and not “British”. For many this has no bearing on the discussion and it may not. But let us take some of these core values, although these are by no means unanimously accepted as fundamental building blocks upon which the nation rests, personal freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Are these core values non-negotiable, unaffected by the reality on the ground, ideas people are willing to fight to protect and die to preserve?
The post 9/11 and 7/7 reality uncovers a society (in general) apathetic to anything besides narrow selfish interests and a government able to re-define key aspects of “core values”. The imposition of draconian anti-terror legislation, with features commonly found in the actions of military juntas presents deep concerns about the society in which we all live. Control orders, detention without charge, the acceptance of rendition flights and intelligence through torture are all deeply worrying and make us question whether red lines around core values exist.
It is said of the soldiers in the world wars of the last century, they fought to protect freedom and defeat tyranny, laudable aims that cross cultures. But today their grandchildren do not know why they are in Iraq and Afghanistan and many question whether they would die for their country if it were attacked as it is unclear what they would be fighting for.
What is more, there is a lack of a concept of the sacred. This is indicative of the absence of a cause that gels the nation together. The western mind looks upon the Muslim strength of feeling towards the Danish cartoons as perplexing and borne of Muslim touchiness. Let us ignore the violent reaction of a minority of Muslims. This deep feeling results from a love of the Messenger of Allah. So deep is this love that it is more powerful than the love we have for our own kin. Explaining this to someone living in this country is difficult, as there is no parallel value, idea, individual or institution that evokes such a strong emotion. The lack of the sacred means anything can be ridiculed or held up for comedic derision.
Yusuf Patel
