To
The Rt. Hon. David Cameron
Prime Minister,
10 Downing Street,
London,
SW1A 2AA
SW1A 2AA
Dear Mr Cameron
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
“For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah.”
(The saying of Abraham, Quran 6:79)
We as Muslims are deeply dismayed by your statements made in the Munich Security Conference on the 5th February 2011. Your speech was misleading, ill-timed and counter-productive. You have insulted the Muslims you are meant to serve and have demonstrated a failure to understand the Muslims and their faith.
A Muslim, literally, means one who has submitted his will to God. We bow our head in prayer to Allah, five times a day, in submission to Him and Him alone. We only have one Master, and we are Muslims first. Our beliefs in our values, and in what we hold to be right and wrong is dictated not from an elected parliament, but from Allah (God) as revealed in the Quran and the teaching of last Messenger, Muhammed (Peace be upon him), and consensus of the Muslims. Furthermore, we believe that this life is a test, that after our death we are accountable before Allah on a Day of Judgement and we will all be given recompense according to our deeds. This, above all, is what motivates us:
“Every human being is bound to taste death: but only on the Day of Resurrection will you be requited in full [for whatever you have done] – whereupon he that shall be drawn away from the fire and brought into paradise will indeed have gained a triumph: for the life of this world is nothing but an enjoyment of self-delusion.” (Quran 3:185)
We readily accept and work to strengthen the meritorious institutions of British society, especially those that exist because of the common origin of the Muslim and Judaeo-Christian tradition that British values were derived from: of honesty and moral integrity; of altruism and neighbourliness; of social, political, and economic justice. We encourage Muslims to do whatever they can, even while being a minority, to assist in increasing the general good and minimising harm in society, even if it be by an act as small as removing something harmful from a walker’s path. We seek to work towards a peaceful society in Britain.
We encourage Muslims to work for the benefit of the people of Britain, for no one’s sake but Allah’s. We will go further to say that we endeavour to work with greater sincerity for the betterment of Britain and its people than any Prime Minister or an elected parliament does, for we seek no worldly gain. We would be insincere citizens if we failed to share with Britons what we believe will bring them peace and tranquillity in this life and in the hereafter. Our role models are the Prophets of God, among them Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammed (peace be upon them all). As one Prophet said:
“I wish not, in opposition to you, to do that which I forbid you to do. I only desire your betterment to the best of my power; and my success can only come from Allah. In Him I trust, and unto Him I look.” (Quran 11:88)
But Muslims will not be bullied by ‘muscular liberalism’ into compromising on their teachings and the principles of their faith as Christendom and others may have done, nor will we be forced to embrace values that oppose the faith of millions of Muslims in Britain, Europe and the world over. Interpretations of British values change as governments do, and what may be in keeping with liberal values may be completely unacceptable to our belief, whether it be mocking God and His Prophets, the alcohol culture with all its ills, and any cohabiting out of wedlock between man and woman, this being the only relationship Islam recognises. Are we still to be forced to embrace such liberal values and promote them? What values allow the fighting of illegal wars that kills thousands to spread democracy by the gun, or of staunchly supporting nations that deprive a people of a land their rights and oppresses them? Are these British values?
What we believe to be wrong and unjust, we will exercise our right to speak out against. You cannot speak of a belief in the freedom of speech and religion while in the same breath deny the Muslims the right to proclaim and preach their belief. You thus make ‘freedom of speech’ an empty slogan. You either accept that people – British Muslims included – have a right to believe in the values that their religion teaches, or that the state regulates our beliefs and our values as in a ‘thought police’ that incriminates and sanctions citizens for what they may believe even if they break no law. This, in essence, is what you propose. If so, then how different is that from communist dictatorships that repress those voices that oppose the state’s ‘values’? You are travelling down a road that will end with sanctions being placed on Muslims for simply believing in Islam and the Quran.
The Islamic faith does not teach extremism. But the Prime Minister, MPs and non-representative think-tanks with their own prejudices will not dictate to Muslims what constitutes a correct Islamic understanding and what does not. You would be ill-advised to be directed by any biased coterie of individuals with neo-conservative leanings or those who seek to undermine Muslims to forward the cause of other interest groups. The government has already, on the basis of such misinformation, branded mainstream Muslim individuals, events and organisations as extremist, reinforcing the perception that your government is unable to make an impartial judgement about its Muslim citizens. This reality makes your speech a cause for even greater concern among British Muslims.
In your speech you stated regarding terrorism that the “threat comes in Europe overwhelmingly from young men who follow a completely perverse, warped interpretation of Islam”. This is not true. The 2008 TE-SAT report of European terrorism confirmed that in 2007, only 4 out of 583 (0.7%) attacks were ‘Islamist’ in nature. In 2006 it was 1 in 498. The main threat comes from separatists and left-wing groups. Why do you seek to exaggerate the threat from Islamists when the facts state otherwise? It is irresponsible for you to further sour the relationship between a minority and the community at large, where there is already evidence of much anti-Muslim feeling. Statistics demonstrate that by sheer numbers alone there are more non-Muslims who feel hostility to Muslims (more than 20% in UK) than vice versa. While singling out Muslims in the attack on multiculturalism, you made no mention of some Christians, Jews, Hindus and Sikhs who have been united by a common cause of hatred against Muslims under the banner of the EDL who were marching on the same day that you spoke. Rather than countering this unhealthy Islamophobia that is sweeping across Europe, you contributed to it. That you were on German soil should have reminded you of the consequences of contributing to hatred against minorities.
The most insulting and disdainful of your remarks directed to the Muslims was the threat of withholding funding from those whom you may wrongfully think are extreme. Do you think that the strength of our conviction in our values is measured against paltry handouts or opportunities for photo shoots with MPs? Muslims do not need such money nor do they have any need to share platforms with such ministers, and certainly not if these are meant to bribe them away from their principles. Reliance and trust upon Allah are the bedrock of our faith. What is the entitlement of any citizen – regardless of religion –should be granted to them. If the government decides to wrongfully withhold this from a Muslim individual or group because of ill-informed reservations about their beliefs, then it is the government that should be held accountable.
It is time for Britain comes to terms with the reality of Muslims as part of Britain with the differences that we have between us. If this is what you want to confront, and this is how you want to browbeat Muslims with ‘muscular liberalism’ then do, for we will, with God’s help, be even harder-nosed in standing up for our faith, for we are responsible for this before God. We will always turn to Him and His guidance and we will, Insha’Allah (God willing) have the mettle to remain patiently steadfast on our faith and speak what we believe to be right:
“Say: “O my people! Do whatever ye can: I will do (my part): soon will ye know who it is whose end will be (best) in the Hereafter: certain it is that the oppressors will not prosper.’” (Quran 6:135)
Your speech has lead to much upset in the Muslim community. While you may win over many right-wing and, possibly, racist voters, you will lose Muslim voters who will not forget your remarks in four years time. But it is not votes but a sense of justice and perspective that should guide you. We hope you reconsider your statements and reassess the direction this government is taking with regards the rights of Muslim citizens of Britain, and not join Europe’s growing far-right.
Yours sincerely
Dr Haitham Al-Haddad
Notes:
76 Comments
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To English Infidel:
Dont judge a book by its cover. Islam doesnt teach to go around bombing innocent civilians, those who commit these acts are not true muslims. You cant just stereotype because of a minority. Islam is about peace not violence. The media like always chat crap just to hit the headlines and stir up trouble its what they get paid for, but unfortunately people like you tend to believe everything you hear. the EDL is a rascist group and all whites, so i guess all the white people are rascist? no didnt think so. Stop following the herd and think before you speak. Do some real research and you’ll see ISLAM is a pure religion. Its not England we hate its people like you full of misconceptions. You want me to go home, well I am at home!
As for the Sheikh, Subhan’Allah may Allah give us all the strength to strive in the path of Islam and lead by such an example Insha’Allah.
Muslims are offended!! It doesn’t take much to offend some people. Some are very easily offended and a little bit too sensitive with very little humour.
Why is Islam the only way? Why not Hinduism, or Buddhism, or Zoroastrism, or Jainism, or Paganism, or Taoism, or Shinto, or Rastafarianism, or Sikhism, or Judaism, or Christianity, and so on and so on… and if it is Christianity, then is it Protestant, Calvinism or Lutherism, or Greek Orthodox, or Assyrian Orthodox, or Catholic or Mormonism, or Jehova Witness, or Moony, or Presbyterianism, and if Presbyterian is it English or Scottish Presbyterianism, or Free, Traditional or Reformed Presbyterianism or perhaps its none of them and its Methodism. And if Islam, then is it Sunni or Shia Islam, or Sufi or Ahmaddiya Islam, or perhaps Ibadi or Wahhabi? OR maybe it’s none of these and the Druze are correct, or Krishna. I could go on…. The problem is, ALL these religions believe that they have the exclusive word of God, they and they alone are the sole representatives of God’s word on earth, and all others are infidels. Being confronted with so many voices each proclaiming to be the only True voice of God, one could be forgiven then for believing that all these religions are actually man-made! Europe has its own long and deep religious traditions and history. You should study the history of Europe, especially the 30 year war from 1618 – 1648. This was a war between the main religious groups in Europe, Protestant and Catholic. After 30 years of blood shed and unimaginable suffering, the parties finally decided that if they were going to put an end to such senseless and never ending conflict, then they should separate church and state. This is the beginning of the separation of church and state in Europe and this is why you don’t see the kinds of conflict that you see between Sunni’s and Shias or Sunnis blowing up Sufi shrines in Pakistan or other parts of the world. This is also why you are now free to practice your own faith without fear of persecution of the type that existed in Europe when people were being burned at the steak. We learned through long learning process that the only way to maintain relative relative peace and stability in a pluralist world, was through separating religion and politics. So we give people freedom of religious expression and belief. You have the freedom and right to practice your belief because of “man-made” civic and political laws. It is those laws that allow you openly and freely to express your faith, without state oppression, as existed in Europe in the middle ages. Because of that, some respect is owed to those very civic laws that you reject as merely “man-made”. As they say in Christianity, Render unto Caeser what belongs to Caeser and stop the conceit of believing that you are the sole representative of God on earth. Try reading something that will challenge your views like Christopher Hitchens “God is Not Great”. Consider the arguments therein and then reevaluate your position.
God is too big for just one religion.
Muslims are offended!! It doesn’t take much to offend some people. Some are very easily offended and a little bit too sensitive with very little humour.
Why is Islam the only way? Why not Hinduism, or Buddhism, or Zoroastrism, or Jainism, or Paganism, or Taoism, or Shinto, or Rastafarianism, or Sikhism, or Judaism, or Christianity, and so on and so on… and if it is Christianity, then is it Protestant, Calvinism or Lutherism, or Greek Orthodox, or Assyrian Orthodox, or Catholic or Mormonism, or Jehova Witness, or Moony, or Presbyterianism, and if Presbyterian is it English or Scottish Presbyterianism, or Free, Traditional or Reformed Presbyterianism or perhaps its none of them and its Methodism. And if Islam, then is it Sunni or Shia Islam, or Sufi or Ahmaddiya Islam, or perhaps Ibadi or Wahhabi? OR maybe it’s none of these and the Druze are correct, or Krishna. I could go on…. The problem is, ALL these religions believe that they have the exclusive word of God, they and they alone are the sole representatives of God’s word on earth, and all others are infidels. Being confronted with so many voices each proclaiming to be the only True voice of God, one could be forgiven then for believing that all these religions are actually man-made! Europe has its own long and deep religious traditions and history. You should study the history of Europe, especially the 30 year war from 1618 – 1648. This was a war between the main religious groups in Europe, Protestant and Catholic. After 30 years of blood shed and unimaginable suffering, the parties finally decided that if they were going to put an end to such senseless and never ending conflict, then they should separate church and state. This is the beginning of the separation of church and state in Europe and this is why you don’t see the kinds of conflict that you see between Sunni’s and Shias or Sunnis blowing up Sufi shrines in Pakistan or other parts of the world. This is also why you are now free to practice your own faith without fear of persecution of the type that existed in Europe when people were being burned at the steak. We learned through long learning process that the only way to maintain relative relative peace and stability in a pluralist world, was through separating religion and politics. So we give people freedom of religious expression and belief. You have the freedom and right to practice your belief because of “man-made” civic and political laws. It is those laws that allow you openly and freely to express your faith, without state oppression, as existed in Europe in the middle ages. Because of that, some respect is owed to those very civic laws that you reject as merely “man-made”. As they say in Christianity, Render unto Caeser what belongs to Caeser and stop the conceit of believing that you are the sole representative of God on earth. Try reading something that will challenge your views like Christopher Hitchens “God is Not Great”. Consider the arguments therein and then reevaluate your position.
God is too big for just one religion.
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but
Nice letter and Yes make a stand, but please for the sake of humanity WE DON’T want Wahhabism in the uk or anywhere else in the world. They have distorted the religion to the point of what we see how Islam has been portrait in the media. Saudi Arabia / Al Qaeda all Wahabis. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!. Yes there is enough evidence to prove that they have manipulated and distorted real Islam. Research and see. Thanks
ha ha
what a load of crap!!!!
did you really think Cameron could care less about you – he has already said that he doesnt care about extremists like you, so why would you waste all the time to write this letter which in anycase sounds like a homicidal rant. Salafis and jihadists really need to grow up instead of feeding the masses sound-bites that are unhelpful and quite stupid in fact. Grow up.
To English Infidel
You have got to stop being brainwashed by the Sun / Sky / Fox and the rest of Rupert Murdoch’s robots.I suppose you open page 3, get hypnotised by the nude, and believe all the rubbish written by the Muslim hating racists.
Why don’t you read a book or something, learn a bit to rid yourself of your pathological ignorance.
Islam doesn’t teach kiling of innocents. That’s what the West does – they call it – technically – collateral damage.
The Quran teaches whoever kills an innocent soul it is as if he has killed all of mankind.
Why do some Muslims get angry and act violently?
What if a few million Norwegians came to Britain, claimed that their Viking forefathers lived here for a few centuries over 2000 years ago, and it was their god-given right to repopulate Britian – drove out all the English, Welsh and Scots to Europe, and put whoever remained into squalid refugee camps in Norfolk in poverty, malnutrition and bombed them every now and again. Wonder how charitable you would feel to them and the countries that supplied these Children of Vikings with cash and ammunition. That is exactly what is happening to the Arabs in Occupied Palestine.
Muslims, be patient
For the nazis, racists and zionists who may have posted the Islam-bashing comments:
– British Muslims aren’t going anywhere. This is our country as it is yours. In which case you all might want to move to Muslim killing Israel. Or China.
– your comments strengthen Muslims further , confirms the Quran:
‘And the Jews and Christians will not be pleased with you until you follow their religion.’ sura baqara
-‘Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse.’
Their hatred and prejudice has blinded them from thinking. The truth of Islam is crystal clear. Many are ignorant and stupid; they are sheep following their bigoted leaders. And in the hereafter will get what they deserve in hellfire when they will say:
‘If only we listened and used our intellect we would not have been of the people of the fire.’
Others know that Islam is true but arrogance blinds them . ‘Is there not in hellfire an abode for the arrogant?’
Ken is right
Ken is right. id vote for him.
no nonsense
faithful and others – GIVE US A BREAK PLEASE…nothing and nobody will ever MATCH the appetite of death&terror of Mohammed and jhadist of “Cult of Death” – ISLAM aka “my way or death”.
CUT THE TAQQIYA PLEASE, STOP EXCUSING MURDEROUS HAMAS AND HEZBOLLAH..we are not buying this ANYMORE!!!
YOU ARE OBSESSED WITH WIPING OUT ISRAEL AND “TAKING OVER THE WORLD”, STOP DREAMING..get a grip – this is EUROPE!
Who is terrorist?
Cherchil, Hitler or Mussolini! who killed and still killing Muslims in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, who give Weapon to Zionists to kill people in Ghaza?
READ
Thats interesting some muslim wrote ( even if it be by an act as small as removing something harmful from a walker’s path. We seek to work towards a peaceful society in Britain.)what about all the home made bombs made by dirty muslim bombers why dont they remove them ? . how stupid dou you need to be thinking that thinking my god has told me to kill inocent people so that i can go to heaven and have sex with lots of virgin women what kind of sick disgusting religion is that , if you dont like England no one is making you stay if you dont like us then , GO HOME .
To stalin
I take it you in Europe must be very proud of
– the 100 years war
– Killing 20 million of yourselves in world war I
– Killing 70 million of yourselves – men, women,children – in World War II
– Teetering on the brink of annihilating everyone in the cold war
– Making your money making bombs,tanks,warheads, drones so everyone else can kill each other.
Muslims can never come close to the European apetite for detruction of self and others. All the above perpetrated by European Christians, Nazis included amonst them. See some are still alive and kicking, contributing to the comments on this site…
inconvienients
do you all feel proud when you hound or even worse kill apostates.do you feel proud when you can have up to four wives but a woman can,t have four husbands,do you feel proud being homaphobic…how do you know mohhamed the last prophet..ever though the supreme being might change is mind…do you feel proud about the ongoing civil war between sunnis/shiites…do you feel proud of your intolerance to other religions in the majority of muslem countries..of course you do..your stuck in the dark ages
Free Europe from Islamofascist bullies
Muslims – don’t tell US WHAT WE CAN OR CAN’T DO IN OUR HOMES!!! IF U DON’Y LIKE IT L E A V E !!!!!!!
European that is OFFENDED by islamic bullies
wait a minute..You ARE GUESTS IN EUROPE – STOP TELLING US WHAT WE CAN OR CAN’T IN OUR HOME (LAND) – IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT HERE – PACK YOUR BAGS – NOBODY WILL MISS YOU! 😛
what i got from this
> muslims in britain dont consider themselves British
” Muslims to work for the benefit of the people of Britain” “Britain comes to terms with the reality of Muslims as part of Britain with the differences that we have between us”
> we wont accept british values
“But Muslims will not be bullied by ‘muscular liberalism’ into compromising” “liberal values may be completely unacceptable to our belief”
> then threatening undertones ” be even harder-nosed in standing up for our faith”
way to make your point that Cameron was wrong..
Isn’t it about time wwe stoped feeling sorry for muslims, the focus isn’t on their needs as they would like everyone to think only about them to the exclusion of the wider community..I’m tired and bored of their constant bellyaching about their religion
Miss
What I don’t understand is how muslims can live their lives around the words of a mass murderer. Muhammad (who is responsible for the Quran) beheaded 600 -900 heads of his own people because they didn’t beleive him when he said God had been speaking to him (whilst living in a cave for many years). At least people followed Jesus from free will and not because the only option was follow Muhammad or lose your head! Mental the lot of it!!!!!
Try Again
[As Sheikh Haitham rightly says, it is only Allah SWT who has the right to dictate to us what we should adopt, and what we should discard.]
It’s not so much what you do or don’t do, it’s more to do with ‘Where’ you wish to do it.
If you want to live that sort of life, do it in an Islamic State!
problem loading page.
sorry to bother you but when i try and load the page instead of the open letter all i see is “wah wah WAAAAH” repeated over & over until the comments section.
You’ve answered your own question
Muslims, like all devout adherents, do not obey God’s will. They are directed to do the will of Men. The Theologians, the interpreters, the Imans, the Politicians of Religion.
Right and Wrong are simplistic, meaningless instructions for children.
Only Truth is constant.
If you seek guidance…Live, let Live. Be Nice.
There you go…..
The reason Islam is my enemy.
The reason for the rise of the right and hatred for islam is 9/11 happened, which woke the west up to stealth jihad, and also this- He will then join the Mahdi in his war against the Antichrist. Jesus, considered in Islam as a Muslim, will abide by the Islamic teachings. Eventually, Jesus will slay the Antichrist, and then everyone from the people of the book (ahl al-kitāb, referring to Jews and Christians) will believe in him. Thus, there will be one community, that of Islam.[21]
Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 43, Number 656: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “The Hour will not be established until the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you as a just ruler, he will break the cross, kill the ‘pigs’, and abolish the Jizya tax. Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it (as charitable gifts).
Where are the voices of Islam?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12555908
‘At a press conference with the Qatari prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, Mr Cameron also suggested holding the World Cup in Qatar could help change attitudes towards homosexuality.’
Can you imagine if it was the other way around – the Qatari PM coming to UK and saying we may change British attitudes to liberalism, promiscuity. There would be uproar. (Not that any arab leader would have the guts to stand up for his faith – did the PM rebuke Cameron when he said this!)
Amazing, Cameron struts around the Muslim world telling us we should give up our purer way of life for Wester-style fasadn, and the Muslims just listen, when it is the Muslims who were given the responsibility to proclaim the truth. And here he tells us we should integrate…where are the Muslims?!
Misinformed Ken & similar minds
Perhaps those “idiots disprespecting” British soldiers are in the pay of the intelligence services? They certainly don’t represent me and I find them even more offensive than you do.
It’s just what Cameron wants people like you to think all Muslims are. Well we’re not. I’m not. So I think it’s a rational letter to Cameron which I hope was also forwarded to his cheerleaders in the London tabloid news media. If the amount of Islamophobic hysteria they write on a daily basis is combined with that of the Prime Minister’s sinister words in Germany, then you can’t deny that British Muslims rightly feel disaffected, disenchanted and disillusioned. And fearful. Fearful of increased hatred and prejudice.
Instead of fanning the flames for the BNP, EDL and other Islamophobes, Cameron should have spoken measured and reasoned words. So like the “idiots” you mention, the Prime Minister does not represent me. He was in fact “disrespecting” me and other Muslim voters in Britain. I hope Sayeeda Warsi told him so. If not, we should let Cameron know.
Jerusalem
I was happy with a lot of David Cameron’s speech but was annoyed when he talked about Jerusalem being the capital of 2 states.
Muslim own thousands of miles of land and yet they begrudge Israel from owning a tiny sliver. They have two holy cities but insist that the Jews must not have one.
What we are seeing is the final struggle between Isaac and Ishmael and the nations will increasingly align themselves with the descendants of Ishmael.
Zechariah foretold 2,400 years ago what the outcome will be – I suggest we should all take note of Zechariah chapter 12 and Psalm 83 and I’ve been looking at Isaiah chapters 14 to 19 again – these are interesting times.
May Allah Give you great Reward
we are Always with you to prpmoting saving the mission of Islam
We just love talking done we
You don’t love Muslim but we love you.
I am not here to point my finger or blaming Mr David Cameron.
We Muslims we are forgetting that Mr David Cameron him self is a human and we humans are full of sins. so we shouldn’t blame him but our self.
We need to to fix our-self first before we point a finger to one and another.
Fear no one but Allah,
Ma Allah guide all of us.
Peace
For the actual speech transcript
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/speeches-and-transcripts/2011/02/pms-speech-at-munich-security-conference-60293
asalamualaykum
assalamualaikum
Where is the Muslim’s response?
Jazakhullahu khairen for the only Muslim leader that seems to have responded to this appauling speech. But where are the rest? And what about us? What can we do before it is too late? Why are NON MUSLIM orgs actively responding to this, inc Rabis, priests, pundits, athiests… doing petitions,articles in newspapers…but not a single Muslim name?
– Write to Mr Cameron and express that his speech was offensive to Practising Muslims or “non violent extremists” as he says
– So what is our relation to terrorism if we are not violent. Perhaps his foreign policies and action in Iraq, Afghanistan, silence with Palestine etc should be admitted as the cause of ‘terrorism’.
– Does Mr Cameron propose a dictatorship or communist society? Why wasnt that mentioned before he was voted in!
Send a Copy of your letter to your local MP or write seperately to him. I have already received a reply from my conservative MP. How can we expect them to represent us if we dont let them know that we were offended.
This is a serious issue… and needs to be addressed at this stage.
The scholars are the tide breakers…
The scholars in Islam are like the tidebreakers that take the impact of the waves and protect the shore – may allah reward the shaikh for taking on that role.
every few months there is an attempt for another layer of our Islamic identity to be stripped off of us.
It is shocking that overall we been very complacent about what the politicians have been dong to erode the Muslim identity. The non-Muslims have made more noise about the multiculturalism speech than the Muslims have. Why? Maybe because we have become so desensitised to being punched and walked over, maybe we have stopped respectig ourselve, we don’t mind when our prime minister insults us. Have we become like the children of Israil under pharoah? That is what happens to weak people.
Jumu’ah Mubarak
Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
How deprived are those who believe that Islaam offers nothing that christianity cannot. How very deprived indeed!
Islaam is The Truth and the rest is falsehood. There is no God but Allaah (Alone) Who has no partner.
And God guides to the truth whom He wills. There was a time when I was in darkness, as good as dead, but Allaah guided me to His light and gave me life.
Know that Allaah is free of need. He likes not disbelief for His slaves, but if any disbelieve, Allaah is not in need of any of us. It is the created who are always in need of the Creator.
Praise be to Allaah that I am a Muslim and praise be to Allaah that I am a Muslim of the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
Allaah says: Say (O Muhammad SAW): “Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
Shaykh I love you for the sake of Allah. Your words have made me very happy this day of Jumu’ah. May Allah reward you with goodness and grant you al-Firdaws al-A’laa. And I pray that Allah unite this ummah and make us all steadfast on the path of truth. Aameen.
When it was said to Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah that they are plotting to kill you, expel or imprison you, he replied: If they kill me it will be a shahaadah for me. If they expel me, it will be a hijrah for me; if they expel me to Cyprus, I will call its people to Allaah so that they answer me. If they imprison me, it will be a place of worship for me.
May Allaah have mercy upon him.
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alameen.
Jumu’ah Mubarak
Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
How deprived are those who believe that Islaam offers nothing that christianity cannot. How very deprived indeed!
Islaam is The Truth and the rest is falsehood. There is no God but Allaah (Alone) Who has no partner.
And God guides to the truth whom He wills. There was a time when I was in darkness, as good as dead, but Allaah guided me to His light and gave me life.
Know that Allaah is free of need. He likes not disbelief for His slaves, but if any disbelieve, Allaah is not in need of any of us. It is the created who are always in need of the Creator.
Praise be to Allaah that I am a Muslim and praise be to Allaah that I am a Muslim of the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
Allaah says: Say (O Muhammad SAW): “Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
Shaykh I love you for the sake of Allah. Your words have made me very happy this day of Jumu’ah. May Allah reward you with goodness and grant you al-Firdaws al-A’laa. And I pray that Allah unite this ummah and make us all steadfast on the path of truth. Aameen.
When it was said to Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah that they are plotting to kill you, expel or imprison you, he replied: If they kill me it will be a shahaadah for me. If they expel me, it will be a hijrah for me; if they expel me to Cyprus, I will call its people to Allaah so that they answer me. If they imprison me, it will be a place of worship for me.
May Allaah have mercy upon him.
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alameen.
JazakAllah beautiful and daring article. May Allah give more strength to work for Allah
Wisdom….
The article has been eloquently written, Jazakallah Khair for this positive contribution – arrogance has become the order of the day for many Muslims which isn’t a characteristic of one who believes in Allah and His Messenger. In the current climate, We need to tackle such issues with a more pragmatic and mindful approach. Unfortunately, the media has become the only access to Islam to non-Muslims, hence we have a duty to carry ourselves with dignity and deliver the true meaning of Islam with wisdom together with a reflection of the divine message as ordained the Quran & Sunnah
An example for other scholars and learned men
AlHamdulillah. AlHamdulillah. AlHamdulillah.
I hope this message comes as a support for the Sheikh on the Day of Judgement. We really need to learn from this. We cannot keep quiet .The conditions of the muslims will not change unless the muslims make efforts to change the condition they are in, irrespective of what the consequences hold.
This is an area where most scholars and learned men in islam do not take heed to. We need people like this Sheikh who can express the truth with wisdom and clarity.
May Allah (A.W.J) Bless and have Mercy on the Sheikh and Guide our Ummah.
Aameen.
We need more like Shaikh Haitham …
The message in the letter is a self-confident one, and many Brits – like Ken- are uncomfrtable with that. Brits r generally tolerant, but they have this arrogance about themselves – it’s like they’re saying ‘we’re tolerant and good to you, but know your place Muslim!’ They’re especially more arrogant and look down on others when they’re abroad – they retain the colonial air about themselves.
When others are more confident than them, the arrogant ones become insecure and that bit of tolerance disappears – that’s one reason they have a problem with the veil… They can’t stand to see these Muslim women who they feel they are better than, being so confident in a way of life that flies in the face o f theirs
On the other hand, maybe some people will even come to Islam when they see the confidence of the Muslims
Politicised.
On reading this letter, I distinctly detect a religion putting its political aims ahead of what areligion ought to be. For example you refer to your religion as bein a munority. What do mean by thayt? There isa no such thing as a minority religion Religion is about faith and a personal relation withy the Almighty. It is the Almighty who gave humanity a free will’ Islam is a religion just as is christianity. It is man made where The almighty is religionless. Islam offers nothing that christianity cannot. and both religions offer nothing what the Messiah taught mankind. YESHUA IS (not was) the prophet of all prophets. It was he who said that no man comes to the father except thru him. Nowhere did he ever mention religion of any sorts.
Wow what a letter !
Mashallah an amazing and inspiring letter by the Shaykh. May Allaah reward you for speaking the truth; when other ‘leaders’ have sat on their sofas, or perhaps cowered behind their sofas after reading this! Just made my day! May Allaah increase you in knowledge, protecet and reward you in the best possible way.
Let the imams and scholars and da’ees support this letter
Assalam alaikum wa RahmatUllah
We should request other da’ees and scholars and imams in support of their brother and teacher Shaikh Haitham who has stuck his neck out and spoken on behalf and for the Muslims.
Brothers and sisters should meet their own MP and give this letter to them
Other discussions on the letter:
http://fajr.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/this-is-how-our-scholars-should-respond/
http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?286412-Open-Letter-to-Cameron-from-Sh.-Haitham-al-Haddad
http://forum.mpacuk.org/showthread.php?p=721943
http://forums.islamicawakening.com/f18/open-letter-david-cameron-shaykh-haitham-al-42504/
I was very disappointed to hear Mr.Cameron make such remarks about Muslims. As a young Muslim I also felt the need to express my feelings, Mr Cameron will be receiving more than one letter on this topic!! Awesome response though. 🙂
Ken gets it wrong again
Ken we Muslims have a right to speak of our rights as the west has for so long supported Muslim dictators and prevent millions of Muslims from having their freedom that they the western government’s enjoy. Hence get YOUR house in order.
When a soldier signs on the dotted line to essentially kill Muslims, what do you suggest we do but disrespect them?
Multiculturalism
British society was and still does not believe in the process of Multiculturalism. Perhaps he should instead say “Britain has failed at multiculturalism”. It’s individualism and globalisation that are undermining a strong national identity.The outcome of globalisation is Multi-culturalism. The reason multiculturalism has been failing becase the government policy has not been a multicultural policy – it has been an integration policy where all people are melted into one culture. It is the uni-culture that has failed as it does not allow for respect of different cultures. The majority of Muslims in the UK are well-integrated and support and promote democracy, equality and British rule of law.
IA
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk
Allahu Akbar
May Allah give unity to Muslims so we can spread the truth, We do not afraid of anyone but Allah.
“O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam. And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves…” (3:102-103)
“It is only the Evil One that suggests to you the fear of his votaries: be not afraid of them but fear Me if you have faith.” (3:175)
“To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and on earth and to Him is duty due always: then will you fear other than Allah?” (16:52)
Mash Allah,
Its down right refreshing to read this very dynamic & well articulated letter. May Allah bless the Sheikh, May Allah keep the Muslims safe and on the right path, and May Allah guide the unbelievers to truth and help them to follow it. Ameen
For the comment written by Ken. Ignorami who disturb others’ gatherings be they returning British soldiers or whatever are not representative of the majority of British people. Cameron on the other hand is. There’s a huge difference and yet they are from the same ilk.
He looks what he is. Ignorant, spoilt Etonian brat and extremely immature.
May Allah bless our Sheikh Haitham
May Allah bless our Sheikh Haitham for again making things crystal clear for us. For he is indeed doing what is required by the scholars as instructed by Allah swt in the Quran.
May Allah reward and protect Sh. Haitham.
Be glad
Hey you guys before you start belly-aching about your rights, just be glad that you are Muslims living in the UK and not Christians living in Muslim dominated nations. Wherever Islam is the dominant force others have to be very careful what they say.
Also what are you doing to stop the idiots who are showing disrespect to British soldiers?
And to stop the hatred being taught in some Muslim faith schools.
Yes some of you may be responsible good citizens of the UK but far too many are trying to destroy this nation.
I would say put your own house in order (both here in the UK and worldwide)before you try to tell the rest of us what to do.
An Excellent Letter
As-salamu ‘alaykum,
An excellent letter. May Allah reward you, Shaykh.
Was-salam,
Abu ‘Abdissalam
Well written, it’s been ages that I heard someone speak the truth without fear mashallah
JAZAKALLAKHEIR
BEAUTIFULLY, ARTICULATELY WRITTEN
MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU
AND KEEP ALL MUSLIMS STRONG
Reflections
Let’s properly judge David Cameron- does he believe in universal human rights?
If so then how is there still detention without charge in the Uk and why is his government interfering with freedom of religion?
Does he believe in equality of all before the law?
If so why was Julian Assange made into a political scapegoat.
Does he believe in democracy and the right of people to select their own government?
If so then why the timidity over Egypt compared to the veracity over extremism.
Finally, does he encourage integration or separation?
Well judging by this highly divisive speech, designed to polarise opinion and bully Muslims I think the man makes himself very clear.
All this of course while seeming to sound very reasonable- anyone else taken in?
He spoke for all of us…
Mashallah…He spoke for all of us, May God Bless this Sheikh.
David Cameron is totally out of touch with the common man on the street, be he Muslim or otherwise.
Very interesting letter… we ran in in AsiaDespatch…thanks
http://www.asiadespatch.com/2011/02/shaykh-haitham-al-hadadd’s-response-to-david-cameron-on-multiculturalism/
Barak Allahu feek ya Sheikh. Excellent coment
Barak Allahu feek ya Sheikh. Excellent coment
Subhanallah! : D
May Allah bless the shaykh for his courage!
Ms
Subhanallah!!! : D
May Allah bless the shaykh for his courage!
Contradiction
salam to all just wanted to point out:
doesnt this “We only have one Master, and we are Muslims first. Our beliefs in our values, and in what we hold to be right and wrong is dictated not from an elected parliament, but from Allah (God) as revealed in the Quran and the teaching of last Messenger, Muhammed (Peace be upon him) and consensus of the Muslims.”
CONTRADICT THIS:
Your speech has lead to much upset in the Muslim community. While you may win over many right-wing and possibly racist voters, you will lose Muslim voters who will not forget your remarks in four years time.
doesnt this make you realise that democracy is a system of kufr where man is al-hakim god forbid!!
Wake up!!!!!!
allahu akbar
Thank God. This is the thing that should have been said many years ago. Why did our leaders spend all these years in political posturing. Our leaders knew for long now that the state has been at war with Islam both militarily and ideologically. Day by day they are more open about their aims. It should not have taken the smug faced David Cameron to have motivated this response. May Allah reward the shaikh – previous open letters that have had co-signatories were pretty wet – this one at least has some bite. I hope this represents a paradigm shift in our political engagement.
Assalamualaikum Sh.
I think your article’s end was significantly stronger than its beginning because the points were far more substantive. The tone taken in the beginning is undermined, i feel, by the unfortunate perception, if not truth, that Muslims on the whole probably do not contribute greatly to praiseworthy institutions. I mean, we’re not the type to remove harm from the street for reward from Allah. Everything we need is in our Prophet’s sunnah but i’m not sure we really adhere to it. Internally, we know we bend or break rules all the time, cheat the benefits system, suffer high rates of unemployment and poor education, make up a significant proportion of prisons, and are stubbornly committed to apathy.
Moreover, the beginning was characterised with lots of ‘we’; though how much ‘we’ are a united bloc is less and less certain. You know, for instacne, that the vast majority of Muslims in this country are deobandi/barelwi and detest salafis – so i’m not sure how appropriate it is to charachterise us as ‘we’ Muslims. I know there is only one ‘Islam’, but it’s British Muslims too who undermine this and add fuel to the fire of those who insist there are only ‘Islams’ and no such thing as Islam.
Yesterday’s ch 4 programme also undermines your letter – where deobandi hanafis teachers came across not as scholars but lame riff-raff using words like ‘piss’ in school assemblies – not to mention their demonising pretty much every non-hanafi-deobani Muslim. At least now Abdul Hakim Murad can’t openly blame all the world’s problems on Saudi Salafis, im sure much to his displeasure. Do you really think there’s a ‘we’.
Finally, i think it’s worth mentioning that you should probably re-tweak your sentence:
“Interpretations of British values change as governments do, and what may be in keeping with liberal values may be completely unacceptable to our belief, whether it be mocking God and His Prophets, the alcohol culture with all its ills, and any cohabiting out of wedlock between man and woman, this being the only relationship Islam recognises.”
The english here suggests that ‘cohabiting out of wedlock’ is the only relationship Islam recognises! Of course, i know that you mean ‘marriage’ is the only legitimatising force in relationships, but that’s not what you wrote.
In the end, much of what you said was what many of us feel and for that:
JazakAllah khayran
Here is a fantastic article correcting those who have been saying during the recent discussion about the way forward for Egypt that there is no Islamic state in Islam. I didn’t think Hamza Yusif would join the modernist trend and was disappointed by his recent comments but welcome this detailed correction:
http://www.iculture.org.uk/articles/siyassa/the-islamic-state-and-egypt-correcting-un-islamic-views#comment-77
ahlhumdulilah
May allah protect the sheikh and help him in serving islam.
May allah accept all of our dua’s and give us power over the unjust.
Well expressed letter.
Never compromising beliefs
MashAllah! Sh. Haitham has indeed reminded us that this world will end soon and if we have compromised what we believe in, we will indeed be the losers. On the day of regret, who will these Presidents or PM’s be? Will anyone fear them or dance to please them on that day? But yet in this short life so many concessions are made to please those who will have no footing on the day that matters most.
Sh. Haitham has done a remarkable job of explaining who we are, what we stand for and where are accountability lies, while reminding Cameron what amounts to selling ones soul to repress a determined people.
Muslims need to engage in this debate, JazakAllah khair Sheikh haitham
It is high time, Muslims begin to engage in the massive political debate that is, and has been, brewing for a significant period of time – That Muslims, and their values must be subject to the scrutiny of British politicians, and must be reformed by them. As Sheikh Haitham rightly says, it is only Allah SWT who has the right to dictate to us what we should adopt, and what we should discard. And therefore, we should not be scared or feel pushed into a corner by this political debate into discarding our Islam. Rather we should actively participate in this discussion, speaking the truth, for the sake of Allah SWT alone.
may Allah strengthen the shaikh…
Alhamdulillah
this letter needs to be disseminatde, so it reaches MPs, politicians and the PM- letter, emails, leaflets.
Wasala,
Bold, clear and courageous
Alhamdullilah, may allah reward the sheikh for his strong words, and I hope others gain the confidence from his example to speak out, as only through our silence can Cameron and his neocon cronies defeat us.
keeping with the haqq
Allaahu Akbar
Alhamdulillah we have Shaykh Haitham to speak for Islaam and the Muslims. MashAllah May Allah always preserve and protect him Aameen
JazakAllah Khayr
Much Needed
A much needed piece. With the vast majority of World religions changing their core beliefs to please others, Islam has thus far remained unscathed, thus the pressure from others to conform.
Whilst there is no denying that the Muslim community has problems, the solution to these problems is not to change the teachings, but rather educate about its existing ones
Masha’Allah
Masha’Allah I agree with Avid Reader, you gain a sense of pride and honour after reading the above article, alhamdulillah. Perhaps we will realise the futility of voting for such people and the problem with the system of voting in the first place.
Avid Reader
i felt so proud to be a muslim when i read this allahu akbar
may allah reward the Shiekh