Violence in the UK: not just discrimination, but systemic

The purpose of this article is to provide truth even when truth hurts — truth can appear to be a criticism but is constructive to improve understanding for effective long-lasting change. One must perceive the underlying complex systematic issues so that causative factors can be placed on both sides for effective resolution. The violent reaction by the far right in the UK against Muslims is a reaction stoked by powerlessness to change the deteriorating social and economic conditions in the UK which is similar to the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany.

I feel it is important to provide my belief in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. I believe the Qur’an is truth, and Muhammad was God’s Prophet and Messenger. Some of what I am writing may appear discriminatory against Muslims — it is not. It is important to reveal underlying systemic issues that lead to increased violence against the “other.”

Unfortunately, when countries are struggling to meet the needs of their permanent residents, and then have a significant influx of non-resident immigrants who have temporary status or non-permanent residence who are able to obtain government resources such as subsidized housing, or other social services including social security, then animosity increases against the immigrants. How is it that residents with legal permanent status are on housing lists which have extensive wait times to receive affordable housing when immigrants who are not permanent residents are obtaining subsidized housing before legal residents? In fact, some of these immigrants must reside in their home country for a certain number of months to fulfill the legal visa or Green Card legal requirements in both countries to maintain their dual status and then are leaving their subsidized housing empty for months when residents are waiting for housing.

Muslims who are not permanent residents of the U.S. are a highly targeted group because of the visible evidence of women wearing hijabs, burqas, or abayas. But let’s discuss some of the more complex underlying issues between Muslims and UK and US residents. Many Masjids (Mosques) don’t have the resources to provide their ummah or community adequate social services, so some Muslims use Christian or Jewish non-profit organizations to obtain assistance in addition to government social services. The reason why they don’t have adequate charitable funds is because of the expected low amount of zakat or charitable giving Muslims are expected to pay. The annual zakat is 2.5% of the net income. Jews and Christians are expected to pay 10% of the gross income in charity. During the time of early Islam Muslims were expected to provide zakat giving with a combination of gold, land, goods, and livestock to equal 10% since this was a trading/herding community. Of course, in these modern times, many Muslims in non-Islamic State countries do not have livestock or large land holdings, so the zakat amount was adjusted down. The lowered adjustment of zakat has not made it possible to charitably support the Muslim ummah’s needs, especially for women and children.

To add fuel to the fire, the Muslim perceptions of Christianity, Judaism and the West is extremely derogatory. For example, most Muslims believe the Bible is corrupted, and that the Qur’an presently holds all truth and the only accurate truth. Muslims will attempt to explain to non-Muslims including Christians that Islam is the only truth, even to the extent of some Muslims believing that ALL non-Muslims will go to hell. Many denigrating comments are made about the immorality of the West, even though there is increasing issues among the Muslim population regarding immorality. Recently, an Imam in London reported that there is an epidemic of Muslim men kicking their wives and children out of the house leaving them homeless which forces them to utilize government and non-profit helping agencies (non-Muslim). This is occurring in the U.S. as well.

Because of Muslim beliefs, Westerners and especially Christians are seen as inferior to Muslims. However, foreigners residing in other countries must remember they are guests and behave accordingly. What would the consequence be if a Christian visiting a Muslim majority country be if they began denigrating Islam and the East? Therefore, Muslims should treat the host country’s people with respect and gratitude. Some Muslims are attending Universities in Western Countries, or have work permits so are receiving a benefit to themselves. Non-resident foreigners should take care of their own needs and not use the limited resources of the host country. Muslims should get to know the “other” and be neighborly, even to providing assistance if they are able to a resident in need. In this way they will receive acceptance and possible protection.

I predict the U.S. will begin to experience aggressive attacks against immigrants as well. It is a similar situation of the Jews before WWII who created wealth partly from loan usury during a German economic depression by charging the Germans a higher interest rate. Additionally, there was negative rhetoric by the Jews against the non-Jewish Germans. It is interesting to note that in accounts of the Holocaust, including visual accounts of movies based on true events, there were Jewish women wearing fur coats which were taken by the Nazis, and accounts of the removal of expensive watches from Jewish men, and jewelry from women. Again, it was a complex, systemic issue, but the overriding cause frequently touted is antisemitism which is a simplistic evaluation of the complex events leading to the holocaust.

Aggression and violence or genocide against the “foreigner” never resolves underlying issues that must be addressed on both sides. When there is economic deprivation in a host country with non-residents competing for the same resources, the risk of attacks against non-residents will be high. What is the host country’s responsibility for their permanent citizens? When during economic hardship the number of immigrants allowed into the country should be drastically reduced. Visas and Green Cards should not be renewed. Countries must and should take care of their own citizens first before attempting to support an influx of immigrants and the maintaining of non-resident status.

Is it the responsibility of countries who can’t provide all of the needed resources for their own citizens to place their own countries at risk by providing “safety” for immigrants fleeing their own countries? As is presently happening, the result is discrimination, racism and violence increasing against non-residents placing them and residents at risk.

In conclusion, aggression against immigrants doesn’t occur in a vacuum, but due to increasing economic hardships in many countries violence is increasing as resources become scarcer. Humanity is on the move hoping to escape dire situation in their own countries only to enter into host countries that in the long term may become just as unstable as the countries they left. Hardship and turmoil in countries is frequently the result of corruption and poor leadership which should be addressed internally or the consequences of not providing work, housing, food, and safety for citizens will and should result in hardship against the government. Globally humanity is in a period of instability which appears to be worsening.