[roberto]

Stop pandering to Muslims says 'silent majority'Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent The Guardian, Friday May 2 2008 Article historyAbout this articleClose This article appeared in the Guardian on Friday May 02 2008 on p9 of the UK news section. It was last updated at 00:01 on May 02 2008. The government's attempts to placate Muslims will cause long-term damage to communities, a charity said yesterday.

The warning came from Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, chair and co-founder of the British Muslims for Secular Democracy, a new organisation claiming to represent the "silent majority who feel no conflict between their faith and democracy".

Speaking before the launch, attended by Baroness Kishwer Faulkner and former Islamist Ed Husain, the journalist said the government was pandering to Muslims by granting too many concessions, fuelling their separation from the rest of society.

"The government has found a way of placating Muslims in a way that will only damage us in the long term, Muslims wanting separate schools or different measures. There must be one law for all.

"This differential accommodation leads to us being pushed to the edges. How is it that the Sikhs and Hindus can live in democracy but not Muslims?"

She added: "The perception is that Muslims receive a disproportionate amount of attention and funding and that perception is justified. This ridiculous, distorted, exaggerated single identity has made us no friends."

The group cited an IPSOS Mori review of surveys, conducted since 2005, that revealed most British Muslims believed their faith to be compatible with democracy.

The group's projects include publishing a booklet for teachers on how to negotiate with Muslim parents who ask for special treatment and citizenship workshops.
Stop pandering to Muslims says 'silent majority' | World news | The Guardian

[Jamroll]

These people have no mandate to claim that they represent the "silent majority". Their views may well represent the silent majority, or they may not, but I am put off by their claims to speak for the silent majority. They do not speak for me, and I would hazard a guess that most people would feel the same way.

[roberto]

Originally Posted by Jamroll

These people have no mandate to claim that they represent the "silent majority". Their views may well represent the silent majority, or they may not, but I am put off by their claims to speak for the silent majority. They do not speak for me, and I would hazard a guess that most people would feel the same way.

These people have no mandate to claim that they represent the "silent majority".

Their views may well represent the silent majority

or they may not,

I am put off by their claims to speak for the silent majority

They do not speak for me

I would hazard a guess that most people would feel the same way

Well there is no doubt in your mind is there!

[Hanbali]

Yes, Muslims are so pandered. I feel really pandered at the airport where I am racially profiled and how I am always magically picked for a "random search" while white people go free without any hassle.

Yes, Muslims are so pandered when we are detained without charge.

Yes, Muslims are so pandered when we are tortured, in direct contravention of the Geneva Conventions.

Yes, Muslims are so pandered when electrodes are placed on our genitals. That always gives me a fuzzy feeling inside. My gosh, if only white people could experience this pandering.

Yes, Muslims are so pandered when our countries are bombed mercilessly, our women are raped by their soldiers, and our men are paraded around naked in the streets.

Please don't pander us so much. You might spoil us.

[roberto]

Originally Posted by Hanbali

Yes, Muslims are so pandered. I feel really pandered at the airport where I am racially profiled and how I am always magically picked for a "random search" while white people go free without any hassle.

Yes, Muslims are so pandered when we are detained without charge.

Yes, Muslims are so pandered when we are tortured, in direct contravention of the Geneva Conventions.

Yes, Muslims are so pandered when electrodes are placed on our genitals. That always gives me a fuzzy feeling inside. My gosh, if only white people could experience this pandering.

Yes, Muslims are so pandered when our countries are bombed mercilessly, our women are raped by their soldiers, and our men are paraded around naked in the streets.

Please don't pander us so much. You might spoil us.

You should write to Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, chair and co-founder of the British Muslims for Secular Democracy; you could do it via the Guardian

[Hanbali]

Originally Posted by roberto

You should write to Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, chair and co-founder of the British Muslims for Secular Democracy; you could do it via the Guardian

No thanks. I choose not to waste time with traitors who wish to become famous at the expense of their people.

[ChotooMotoo]

Oh my, and you want us to believe that you're NOT a racist bigoted islamophobe?

Why don't you get back on that boat, and go back where you came from. The west doesn't need any more bigots, thanks.

[roberto]

Originally Posted by ChotooMotoo

Oh my, and you want us to believe that you're NOT a racist bigoted islamophobe?

Why don't you get back on that boat, and go back where you came from. The west doesn't need any more bigots, thanks.

And the "you" is?

[roberto]

Originally Posted by Hanbali

No thanks. I choose not to waste time with traitors who wish to become famous at the expense of their people.

Well it's obviously up to you, but your silence will not achieve anything