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The Rediff Special/M Krishnan

Anti-Muslim feelings plague Bradford

As the loudspeaker issued a call for 2 pm prayers from Bradford's Victor Street mosque, the regulars spilled out on to the streets, hastily making their way in.

Wasim Ahmad, a Bradfordian for 30 years, and a retired mill worker was accompanied by his two nephews in their late teens. He was admonishing them for their disorderly behaviour the previous night and warned them to mend their ways.

"They got into a fight with a couple of English boys. Called them names and were involved later in a brawl," said Ahmad

The teenagers did not look repentant. "We will duff them if they try again. We are not afraid," said Bilal.

Self-confidence was one indirect consequence of the area's brief street violence three years ago. Bradford is home for a large population of immigrant Muslims, running into hundreds of thousands.

A stern look from his uncle silenced Bilal. "Go to the masjid and pray hard. I am coming," he yelled.

In the aftermath of the Luxor massacre in Egypt, there had been an increase in racial slights. "It was a big problem in the 1960s and 1970s but we still face problems every now and then," he explained.

The media, ironically, ensured that they remain insecure. The newspapers did not mince words after Luxor. Ominous photographs of Muslims were juxtaposed with those of the enchanting five-year old Briton, Shaunnah Turner, who was killed with her mother and grandmother.

For some of Britain's 1.4 million Muslims, mostly from Pakistan and India, this was yet another act of extremism which would call them to account on behalf of their faith.

"It is only going to reinforce stereotypes and prejudices which to many in Britain link Muslims inextricably with violence and irrationalism," said Ahmad Waziri, a grocer, who hails from Mirpur in Pakistan. A vast majority in Bradford feel they lack an authentic and representative voice.

"We are ashamed of the gruesome incident in Egypt. Those are mercenaries who bring a bad image to Islam," said Jamil Kidwai, who is originally from India.

But the residents also agree there are enormous difficulties of pulling together such diverse ethnic, linguistic and religious traditions from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Africa and the Middle East. Even within the Pakistani community, which makes up almost half of British Muslims, there are divisions that can be traced back to disputes between neighbouring villages and mosques in Pakistan.

Yet the Muslims in this vast locality feel they have to build up gradually another positive image of Islam.

"We have to propagate an image of Islam which emphasises its tradition of justice, of responsibility to the weaker members of the community and of peaceful co-operation," maintains Wasim Ahmad.

There are, however, hurdles. Irrational anti-Muslim feelings, which continues in its insidious forms, hampers that move.

"How would you like it if you are walking down the road and a group of drunk teenagers abuse you and describe you as mad mullah?" said Jamil. A week back, he said, they tried chasing him but was saved in the nick of time a patrolling police car.

"The British government has not addressed this discrimination," says Jamil.

Economic hardships have only added to their manifold problems. Bangladeshis and Pakistanis combined have a long-term unemployment rate which is nearly three times that of the next most disadvantaged ethnic minority, people from the Caribbean. In the inner cities, nearly half of Bangladeshi and Pakistani men and women are unemployed.

Social breakdown is becoming apparent. There are trends amongst young unemployed British Muslims towards territoriality, gang formation and anti-social conduct.

Wasim Ahmad said he and thousands of others like him did not want to be separate. "We want to keep our religious beliefs, not becoming Muslims just in the way many Christians treat their faith."

"I am aware of myself as a Muslim, not hostile to anyone but just wanting to give myself self-respect," he adds. That sentiment is true. All they want is to be in their city and want to help it by working peacefully there.

The Rediff Special

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