Juan Cole's perspective on Muslims in the UK
which is, as usual, extremely insightful...
whether or not the foiled heathrow plot was conveniently contrived or not, we seem to have completely forgotten the old maxim that, when you find yourself in a deep hole, you first need to stop digging... Submit To Propeller
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The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have contributed to the radicalization of second-generation UK Muslims. They oppose those wars by a large margin. Some 80 percent of UK Muslims oppose the Iraq War, and only 10 percent approve of it. The Israeli treatment of the Palestinians is also a matter of great concern to them, and a radicalizing factor for young people.
Only 1 percent of UK Muslims believe that the 7/7 bombings were "right." But 13 percent of UK Muslims (who are about 1.6 million persons in a population of 60 million) believe that the 7/7 bombers are martyrs. Another 16 percent believe that while their action was wrong, their cause was just.
On the other hand, 56 percent of UK Muslims think that their government is not doing enough to combat extremism, and nearly half want surveillance of mosques. About a third say they would be proud if a family member joined the British police. The community is clearly deeply divided, with a minority attracted by extremism and a majority that is very worried about it and wants something done.
whether or not the foiled heathrow plot was conveniently contrived or not, we seem to have completely forgotten the old maxim that, when you find yourself in a deep hole, you first need to stop digging... Submit To Propeller
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posted by profmarcus at
8/10/2006
