Queen’s Death: What Are UK Muslims Saying?
Why is there “so much empathy” for the Queen amongst his parent’s generation? Some were in “mourning”, said my friend whose Muslim parents are in their 70s.
Another friend said in his family, everyone under 45 was speaking about the terrible things the royal family have done while with those over 45, you would think there has been a death in their family.
Some older Muslims (from former British colonies) felt grateful that they were allowed into the ‘motherland.’ That might explain their reaction said another friend.
These feelings were far from widespread. Many in the younger generation brought up the issue of the Queen ruling a British empire that carried out brutal atrocities like the Mau Mau massacres in Kenya and atrocities in Malaya and Yemen as well as honouring Salman Rushdie -author of the Satanic verses.
They also talked about the racism and growing anti-Islamic sentiment in the Britain she ruled over.
Is Prince Charles a Secret Muslim?
Some Muslims started to say that because of some positive things he’d said about Islam. What is the wider picture? So, I made a video addressing that.
Watch -> Is Prince Charles a Secret Muslim?
What really got many Muslims angry was when the London Central Mosque held a memorial service for the late Queen and the audience – including many Muslim school children - sang ‘God save the King’, the UK’s national anthem.
Did the organisers not look at the words of the anthem and whether a Muslim is allowed to pray for a non-Muslim ruler in that way? Why indoctrinate Muslim kids in a way even mainstream schools don’t?
I made a video addressing this [Watch -> Singing 'God save the King' at London Central Mosque?]. I had a lot of responses and interaction. Alhamdulillah.
So, some Muslims got swept up in the unquestioning mood pumped out 24/7 on the BBC and other media outlets. The Queen was a saint who did no wrong.
However, many Muslims, and many others in Britain, questioned her legacy of ruling over an empire, the monarchy’s benefit from the slave trade, and King Charles strong support for many of the brutal dictators ruling the Muslim world.
As Muslims, when reacting to big national events, do we simply go along with the public mood or do we critically consider the wider picture?
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Love and salams,
Taji
🧔 What have I been up to?
Travelled to the South West coast for a few days. Great to be by the sea and away from the madness that is London. Alhamdulillah
📖 Ayah and Hadith
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَٰتًا فَأَحْيَـٰكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
“How can you deny Allah? You were lifeless and He gave you life, then He will cause you to die and again bring you to life, and then to Him you will ˹all˺ be returned.” [Al-Baqarah 2:28]
Quote of the Week
“We won’t surrender, we will win or we will die". – Sheikh Omar Al-Mukhtar, the Lion of the Desert. He led Muslims in Libya in fighting against the Italian colonial occupation
❤ My Favourite Things
Podcast – Queen Elizabeth II & Empire (with David Olusoga) – Episode 6 of Empire, a new history podcast hosted by William Dalrymple and Anita Anand. A very interesting and timely episode just after the Queen died.
The hosts are joined by David Olusoga for a special episode of Empire, where they discuss the Queen, the Commonwealth, the future of the monarchy and the long shadow of Empire.
Also, Olusoga, the mixed-race British historian travels with a bodyguard. Why? Have a listen.
Read past newsletters at tajimustafa.com