You have so many people who disobey little rules here and there, only kept from crime because the threat the police and law carries.
Well we can thank god they actually are afraid of police...otherwise see Pakistan with no strict implementation of laws! even the educated lawyer can loot you and still call himself the moral one!
If Muslims can't sort out petty differences, how do you expect them to set them aside at a national level, make a unified voice heard and make a unified effort to combat extremism. The only thing that has EVER united the Muslim community is solidarity for Gaza, charity to some extent and that is just about it.
Yea thank god they actually united for that cause!
But this I have to agree their incapability to unite is the root cause of their downfall! Cause when they cant unite they wont learn anything new as they are not allowing new input in and sticking to clones of their own type...
What is needed in my opinion is a big effort by educated, successful young people in the UK. I tried this a while ago and got no response from anyone, I tried contacting my local university Islamic society, that worked, they were interested, I had less resources at hand back then and the society was in shambles, no leadership, no structure, just a bunch of badge wearing people, I tried to pressure them into contacting other societies, raise some sort of effort even in their local areas to combat extremism, go to their local mosques, prayer rooms even, do something, let the relevant social media and general media know what you're doing, raise awareness. It amounted to a bit of work by myself and a few friends and allegedly some people up in Nottingham and Birmingham, but nothing worth mentioning
The problem is everyone is earning for their own and too busy chasing that then to worry about other people's education or lack of it! Those who are gaining an education and not doing a part time job are too busy with their social life...those doing a part time job dont have the time to invest in teaching others...
Another problem is the newer generation are either too religious to teach anything new to or too free thinking to hold and teach anything to...
Most of the new generation I meet are either still living with their parents and hence easier to handle and control as we step up as educated elder sisters...
While the other extreme end are the kids who are like its my life dont lecture me
and some who want to drop out after O levels and start making some money...they are not interested in education...
As for the aunties...they attend 1 class...laugh alot gossip alot and end up educating you about their families
As for the uncles...well I havent tried teaching any and dont wanna try....
We need to stop abusing the system here and start using it in a productive and positive way to ruthlessly stamp out extremists from our own ranks, make a clear division for all to see between us and those types and support causes loyal to our nation, change the image of Muslims, or at the very least reverse, stop or even slow down the trend of hate. Huge individual effort is the first step and then organization and unity where it is needed must be employed effectively. And we CANNOT have local mosques leaders starting this, they are not right for this effort, well adjusted, educated, well integrated young professional Muslims and students need to lead the effort and it is a dire need, ideally, we should have started this years ago.
All that sounds good...the image you are trying to change here is of individuals...coz the only way you can change the image of MUSLIMS or ISLAM is by actually showing people what ISLAM really is how? by behaving like a Muslim and a good human = Muslim are good....but you initially already showed you were pissed about people who practiced their faith in UK...that their lives revolved around it....well if you dont allow practicing it...then how to show what it is about and how it is not an evil that the media portrays?
I remember in Malaysia during Ramadan the masjids used to be open to anyone who wishes to enter and look in...even during prayer (I do admit not all masjid are like that but all the ones I knew were / not sure still are)....
The blind leading the ignorant will go nowhere, as some of us can see.
Yes...hence why I always oppose a certain type of UNCLES leading a community based on their age doesnt necessary come wisdom or you dont develop any form of experiences when all you did was do the same routine everytime....
People who have experiences are not allowed to move to the top coz they are not "as old" as "experienced" or as "popular" as uncle types...
It is best to advertise by making yourself a good example by doing what Islam tells us, rather than exhorting others to follow Islam as we see it. Leading by example works best. This is the mistake that most of us make.
Err did I not say that?