Government shuts Civil Service Muslim Network

In an alarming continuation of anti-Muslim rhetoric spouted by top members of the British government in recent days, on 15 March the Civil Service Muslim Network (CSMN) was abruptly suspended by the Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden. [1] [2]

Contents

Why has the government shut down the network?Even encouraging du’ā for Gaza is being targeted Civil servants to remain apolitical during genocide?British government is providing cover for Israel Senior Civil Service officials biased towards Zionist state Analysis Also read

Among others, the move directly impacts Muslim civil servants within the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs), and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), as well as regulators such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets), and Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills).

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), the eighth-largest trade union in the country, responded sharply to the inflammatory move.

In an article published on its website, the union states,

“While civil service networks sit outside of the remit of PCS, it is concerning that Oliver Dowden should suspend a network whose purpose is to represent and support Muslim civil servants. That this has taken place during Ramadan is entirely insensitive.

“Added to government departments such as HMRC claiming that donating to a legitimate humanitarian charity, Medical Aid for Palestine, is contrary to civil service values, raises deep concerns of Islamophobia at the heart of government.” [1]

Why has the government shut down the network?

As alluded to by the PCS remarks above, the matter pertains to the ongoing Gaza genocide by the apartheid state.

It is understood that the CSMN remains suspended whilst under investigation for apparently hosting events in which speakers had pushed officials to “lobby” colleagues to alter the government’s policy on the genocide. [3]

However, a Muslim civil servant shared with Islam21c that the spotlight was firmly directed towards the support group immediately after two incendiary articles were published, first by the Times on 15 March, followed by the Telegraph on 16 March. [2] [4]

The anonymous civil servant has warned of a sense of unease and anxiety among Muslim colleagues, as they attempt to navigate this unwarranted move by Dowden.

“Following the news article by the Telegraph and the Deputy Prime Minister’s order to suspend the Civil Service Muslim Network, Muslims working across the Civil Service are now seeing an immediate tarnishing of their hard-earned reputation.

“The CSMN was set up to support Muslims within the workplace; its suspension has taken away that support, which is especially impactful during Ramadan, a time where the network is usually more active.

“The network and the many lower departmental-level groups and societies have also been instrumental in raising Muslim concerns and issues within the workplace, a voice for the many Muslim employees across the Civil Service.”

Even encouraging du’ā for Gaza is being targeted

One would be forgiven for assuming that, in this country, there is at least some level of freedom of expression when it comes to most matters, even amongst members of the Civil Service.

This has certainly not been the case with the Zionist brutalisation of Gaza and other parts of Palestine since early October.

Indeed, the source told Islam21c that there is now an impression of “zero tolerance” on something as innocuous as asking colleagues to pray for those suffering in Gaza, or for encouraging charitable fundraising.

“As a result of the suspension of CSMN, we are now seeing a significant increase in scrutiny over anything shared amongst or posted within department-level Muslim groups and societies that have always been independent from CSMN.

“This includes what is increasingly becoming a feeling of zero tolerance on anything around support for Gaza, by way of seeking to promote fundraising or simply promoting du’ā (supplication) for the people of Gaza.

“Other helpful information for Muslims, entirely unrelated to the events in the Middle East, has also come under scrutiny and in some cases been instructed for removal without clear reasoning, except a broad mention of not being aligned to the Civil Service Code, mostly where information quoted has come from sources that may contain perspectives on certain other issues.”

Civil servants to remain apolitical during genocide?

It may be argued that members of the Civil Service ought to adhere to guidelines relating to political neutrality.

However, one could equally make the case that politics does not come into the picture when speaking out against an oppressor such as Israel and its brazen slaughter of approximately 32,000 Palestinians — the overwhelming majority of whom are women and children. [5]

It is true that in the section entitled Political Impartiality, the Civil Service Code — which was last updated in March 2015, guidance expressly warns that members must:

“…act in a way which deserves and retains the confidence of ministers, while at the same time ensuring that you will be able to establish the same relationship with those whom you may be required to serve in some future government…” [6]

In addition, they must also,

“…comply with any restrictions that have been laid down on … political activities.” [6]

However, this is an unprecedented situation and the scale of the devastation far outweighs any recent conflict in modern history.

So the question must be posed, if it is unacceptable for civil servants to speak out against oppression, genocide, murder, what kind of situation would warrant a response?

British government is providing cover for Israel

Since the Israeli onslaught against Gaza began in October of last year, we have seen an incredible level of misinformation and disinformation being spurned out by the apartheid state and media, and by its allies in Western governments and media outlets.

Accusations of babies being beheaded by resistance fighters, or of hundreds perishing at a concert, or even the claim that 10,000 Hamas fighters have been killed, have all been debunked. [7]

The BBC — which, as the state broadcaster, generally reports in favour of the government — recently investigated the above claim of 10,000 fighters being killed by Israel.

Benedict Garman, Merlyn Thomas, and Jake Horton of BBC Verify said they had repeatedly sought clarification from the Zionist authorities for more understanding as to how it calculated the number, and how it differentiates between civilians and resistance fighters. Israeli authorities ignored all requests. [8]

At the same time, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international bodies have repeatedly said that casualty statistics being collated by Gaza’s Ministry of Health are accurate and to be trusted. [8]

But the key is that while such outrageous claims have ultimately been refuted, people have already been swayed and are now finding it difficult to accept the reality.

For the apartheid state, they have partially succeeded in their aim of spreading fake news and propaganda.

Senior Civil Service officials biased towards Zionist state

Despite the legal requirement to avoid leaning towards any political sides, the mood as regards Ukraine and Russia has been one of open support for the Ukrainians.

Most hypocritically though, the government has been driving a completely different attitude with regards Gaza and Israel.

Indeed, our source told Islam21c that due to feeling stifled and unable to process their emotions, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza is having a serious impact on their mental health and that of colleagues.

“Since October 7th, many of us have felt unable to openly express the impact the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is having on us as individuals at work.

“This feeling was further compounded with the complete silence from departmental senior leadership over the Gaza crisis and a complete focus on the attack in Israel and the impact on Jewish colleagues.

“It was almost as if the impact on Muslim colleagues was completely ignored.

“The issue was worsened by a blatant disregard by Government ministers for what was happening in Gaza. Muslim colleagues have also been pulled up on wearing Palestinian colours or lapel flags.

“This is a stark difference to how senior leadership continuously highlighted the impact of the war in Ukraine and the importance of showing support through fundraising and wearing Ukraine colours.”

Reflecting on the vital work that has been carried out by the CSMN and the broader Service on enhancing inclusivity for Muslim colleagues, the civil servant continues,

“Over the last few weeks and months, the Muslim community across the Civil Service has been sharing the genuine impact on it, including the rise in Islamophobia-related attacks and abuse.

“Progress was made in raising awareness and helping to create psychological safety at work through a sense of being able to bring our whole selves to work, which is a core part of the Civil Service and something which is afforded to all other minority groups.

“Unfortunately, recent events like the Government’s announcement on the definition of ‘extremism’, which clearly targets mainstream Islam and the suspension of CSMN means many of us no longer feel we are able to bring our whole selves to work and have been censored.

“The Civil Service prides itself on the diversity of its workforce, yet recent actions of the current Government seem intent on targeting Muslims, suggesting Islamophobia at the core of Government.”

Analysis

ANALYSIS

Zishan Khan

Managing Director

The timing of these developments seems deliberate

The timing of this suspension, following closely on the heels of the government’s futile attempt to redefine 'extremism', does not appear accidental.

Such actions raise serious questions about the underlying motives and the message they send to the Muslim community and society at large.

As an outspoken media organisation, these developments — in which the Telegraph has directly targeted Islam21c — rather than intimidating or weakening our resolve, actually strengthens our commitment and drives us further on in upholding truth amidst a landscape riddled with falsehood and misinformation.

UK proud of its principles, but not in relation to human rights?

This move also unveils a glaring contradiction in a nation that prides itself on the principles of freedom of expression and human rights.

When those principles are selectively applied or discarded when they do not align with certain agendas, it exposes a hypocrisy that undermines the values that are purported to be at the heart of British society.

The selective silencing of voices, particularly those offering support for Palestinians amidst the ongoing onslaught, reflects a clear disparity in how freedom of expression is safeguarded and who it is safeguarded for.