Muslim neighbours scheme launched

[shamrock_uk]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4033667.stm

And about time the government tried something sensible that the average person on the street can easily put into practice.

[ 11-22-2004, 07:53 PM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

[Seraph]

Why are the Muslims being the only ones asked to "break down barriers"? How come there isn't an equal call for non-Muslims to get to know their Muslim neighbors?

On a slightly different topic, as you think "And about time too IMO..." what have you done to try to understand you neighbors more?

[Timber Loftis]

Well, for my part I go and read the very interesting bios of every Muslim my Attorney General sends on vacation to Cuba. I figure that's doing my part. [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img]

[shamrock_uk]

Originally posted by Seraph: Why are the Muslims being the only ones asked to "break down barriers"? How come there isn't an equal call for non-Muslims to get to know their Muslim neighbors? On a slightly different topic, as you think "And about time too IMO..." what have you done to try to understand you neighbors more?

Don't worry, the rest of us are frequently being asked to do the same. But on a practical note, I think the onus does rest with the immigrating person to integrate into the society they move into. Learning at least pigeon English should be compulsory in my opinion, because otherwise (never mind the niceties of social integration) their chances of getting a job and not living in poverty are pretty damn small.

The responsibility of the 'receiving' society is to not act with prejudice and welcome efforts at integration from the minority. I don't necessarily think that it is somehow my responsibility to try and make somebody else integrate though.

The 'barrier' is very often built by the minority community themselves, either inadvertently (eg. the language barrier [which of course works both ways], cultural differences etc) or deliberately (eg. deliberate mistrust, violence against non-minority members in their areas etc)

Of course, these deliberate barriers are often the result of (real or perceived) persecution/racism etc but that's another story entirely.


My "About time..." comment was actually more directed at the government for finally giving some constructive and practical social advice. It certainly makes a change from spending millions of pounds on quangos and their recommendations on integration which the average person in the UK will never even know about.

It was not, however, meant to imply that it was about time the Muslim community made an effort to integrate and I shall edit my post to reflect that. Although, I do believe that they could do more, as the Pakistani High Commisioner clearly realises.


As for your 'what have i done question':

Well, when I'm at home, I live in the Westcountry where there hardly are any ethnic minorities so I haven't done much to get to know them for obvious reasons. We only had three black children in my school, none of whom were in my year. We did have one muslim in my class who I was good friends with.

At uni on the other hand, there are some Arabs, of whom most are Muslims I would think. One of my best friends is an Iraqi actually, and I have one good Muslim friend here as well.

I've read an English translation of the Qu'ran in a bid to understand the religion better and am currently learning some basic Arabic for an upcoming trip to Egypt to see the Arab and Muslim world with my own eyes.

[johnny]

Originally posted by Seraph: Why are the Muslims being the only ones asked to "break down barriers"? How come there isn't an equal call for non-Muslims to get to know their Muslim neighbors? On a slightly different topic, as you think "And about time too IMO..." what have you done to try to understand you neighbors more?

I'd like to see you give it a try when your neighbours don't even speak your language after 5 years or more of living in your country. What am i supposed to do ? Learn to speak Arab so i can communicate with them ? Gimme a friggin break.

[Timber Loftis]

Nice post, Shamrock, and backed up by Johnny's post.