The future for Muslims in the UK is "bleak and dystopian"

[Scirocco]

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/nov/17/muslims-face-bleak-and-dystopian-climate-in-uk-says-head-of-thinktank

According to a report by the Runnymede Trust. The crisis in Palestine and Lebanon is considered to be a major contributing factor.

The rhetoric that Muslims who don't drink or do drugs are somewhat socially regressive is so offensive.

No. You are missing the point. It's the freedom to chose without the disapproval of other people for religious moral reasons. It's like years ago here where unmarried mothers were shunned as they had not been married (Christian religious ceremony). Let's not have women here going back to that sort of crap please.

I didn't see your original post with this to be honest. I don't agree with intimidation or aggression towards anyone so I'm not sure why it would be any different in this scenario? No one should be in fear of their life, why would you think I am not concerned about that?

With reference to the thread title, what would dystopia look like to a practising Muslim?

(Or is that divisive hyperbole?)

The Christians outside were praying but their 'praying' was utterly vile. Manipulative, vindictive. Thoroughly nasty

Sadly, many people in the UK did support them or minimise their actions. Eg the 'very kindly' people who suggested to me that I should have more compassion for the people trying to hunt Muslims down because, "well, it's not like there hasn't been a building provocation". The report published shows how such acts are being empowered by factors in society.

I can't really comment on what happened at your school because I wasn't there. That sounds like an upsetting experience, just as it's upsetting for Muslim children up and down the country to experience racism and religiously motivated discrimination. It's not been my experience or my friends' experiences, but I know people from older generations who had such bad experiences with racism and religiously motivated hate that they were anxious about their children being vulnerable to it if they spent time with people from some groups who had persecuted them previously (eg Protestant and Catholic communities). Sometimes genuine concerns underpin issues with integration, too - eg it's actually not safe for me to visit the local supermarket by myself when I visit sone relatives; if I did so without an (acceptably 'non-minority' appearing) escort, I'd be at risk of physical harm.

That's not the point. Are they still free to chose to have sex with who they want, drink and do drugs if they want without the disapproval of others for religious reasons. If so, then cool. It's the freedom to chose to drink or not drink (for religious reasons of course) as they please, that's the thing. Its what women have been fighting for in the UK for years.

Because you said it was interesting that I hadn’t responded to certain posts and I’m pointing out that the same applies to you ..

@Scirocco I am really sorry that you worry about actual physical harm when going to the supermarket near your relative.

That's not OK and shouldn't be the case.

The fact remains that Islam is at loggerheads with western ideology which leads to problems. For example homosexuality, the inequality of women and girls, forced marriage, anti abortion, anti sex education, sex before marriage, polygamy, freedom of speech, women forbidden from shaking men's hands, honour killings and "dowry deaths", to name but a few. I know many of you will try to tell me that these examples are not in the Quran and are merely cultural. But many of them are in the Quran and, whether cultural or not, they are practiced. If I told you that all of these things were practiced in the name of Catholicism or Methodism I'm pretty sure the majority of comments would express, at the very least, utter disgust. Yet in the name of Islam they get a free pass.

re your last comment- It’s completely unacceptable for anyone to feel unsafe going about their daily life . I’m really sorry that you or anyone has experienced this . There is no justification ever for that .

If a real "far right pogrom" broke out everyone would assume it was that same sort of single incident where no one actually died. The word loses its power

Huh? This makes no sense. So for thousands of racists to target Muslims in the street, set fire to buildings with people in them, smash up Muslim businesses, swarm mosques threatening people and damaging them while thousands and thousands of people online cheered them on tweeting how they should all be gotten rid of and if no one dies it's not that serious?

Is there a reason that when it comes to Islamophobia you are much more concerned about one person's fear of violence from Muslims (which by reading into it has been investigated by police and they haven't found him at risk ) compared to the majority of Muslims actually experiencing real violence?

People can always choose to do what they believe is right for them. People may encounter some raised eyebrows if they do things which are counter to established social norms, in any society and any community. But that isn't to say everyone in a group would hate or shun someone.

The racism and religiously motivated hate in the report isn't reserved solely for the most hardline individuals - it is affecting ordinary Muslims around the country. In fact, some of the people most affected are those of us who have multicultural lives, who are being attacked and discriminated against because of how we appear - our names, skin colour, clothing, facial hair (for men). People don't quiz us on our knowledge of Islam before they assault us.

But that can be profoundly offensive in British society and culture.

When I travel to Muslim countries, I cover myself from my hairline to my ankles so as not to cause offence. I am sensitive to local norms. Perhaps you could consider showing the same sensitivity & good manners in the UK.

Why are you making this about women? Muslim men don't drink either. Muslim men are also not supposed to have sex outside marriage. Just like Hindus (as I know from my DH's Hindu family).
The Muslims I know (or the vast majority) actively don't want to drink. It's how they've been raised.
It's like my Hindu DH - he was raised not to eat cows and now at 45, the thought of eating beef is quite repulsive to him. He's not sitting around yearning for a burger. He doesn't want a burger!
If you've been raised to avoid alcohol or pork or beef or whatever, then many people won't want it. If a Muslim desperately wants a drink then they're capable of getting one.

It was a riot. Not a pogrom.

Ok add men too to my point.

Having read the op's article: stats for religious hate crimes 38% Muslim, 33% Jewish (13% increase in crimes attributed to rise in antisemitism.
From internet census data;Muslim community in UK 3.87 mil, Jewish community in UK 271,327).

From the stats the Jewish community has far more reason to fear, probably why their schools and synagogues have extra security.

Incidentally, in my previous post I didn't mention religion, I did mention sex,age and cultural differences.

Yes it's terrible. I made the point earlier in this thread that it's bad for non Islamist Muslims as their voices aren't being heard.

Says you. I've said why it was (a month attack of against people and property of a particular ethnic group?, why don't you say what makes it not one?

You implied it though. At least, be honest.

Thank you. That's life for a group of ordinary British citizens, in our home country. It's minimised and deflected away from, but the reality is that Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred is one of the most widespread types of hate crime in the UK - we largely just get told to stop making a big deal about it though and then told how it's our own fault.

I have. It's a pretty common name amongst working class people from those areas who are bearing the brunt of stretched resources and not having the privilege to move away when they don't like the area any more.

Very few people dislike Muslims.

Plenty of people dislike having mass immigration of any group that will not integrate and tries to force their views on others, especially when those views are harmful to other groups.
Plenty of people dislike the gradual erosion of their culture. People above have given examples of not being able to celebrate Christmas at work, and I've experienced this too. We have a law and culture here that works and shouldn't be forced out.
Plenty of people dislike infrastructure being stretched by mass migration with no plan to build the things the extra people need. Again, this hits vulnerable people far harder than those who can move easily and pay for private healthcare if needed.
Plenty of people dislike being called racist when they ask legitimate questions about how these problems are going to be solved.

None of this is a major issue if you're a middle or upper class white person with choices.

It is indeed. Some posters on here know nothing about Islam and its teachings. They conflate Islamists with Muslims. Education is key here.