Islam: A Ten Point Plan

Let me be clear from the outset – and get my virtue signalling in early – I have Muslim colleagues among whom I consider many to be my friends. I have few problems with any of them and regularly engage with one of them about the problems I see, not with individual Muslims but with Islam.

Again, my problem with Islam is not that it is different from my own religion, which is Roman Catholic Christianity. On the same basis, I have no issue with Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism or Zoroastrianism. I would argue equally with any of these about how Christianity is the one true religion and the true religion of peace.

But I do have a problem with Islam that separates it from my view of all those other religions listed above which is Islamism: the ideology that emanates from Islam and which is expounded more vocally – fanatically even – by some of our more enthusiastic compatriots. Enthusiastic that is, to make Islam the dominant religion across the world and, especially in my own country and parts of Europe, through the imposition of Shariah law; imposing their culture on ours in such a way that no offence must be caused to them and nothing considered ‘haram’ must be encountered by them. Such an imposition would also necessitate the suppression of other religions, specifically Christianity.

As I look around our country, I can see that the Islamist plans, about which the Islamist fanatics make no secret, are already well underway. Mosques are becoming more common and more visible, and the call to prayer can be heard in many places. Churches are closing (not the fault of Muslims), but adding insult to the injury of closing churches, many are being converted into mosques.

Of course, we cannot hold Muslims totally responsible for all these changes which many find unwelcome. Some of them we are doing to ourselves, or having them done on our behalf by our craven and cowardly politicians, local and national. Who could have imagined that we largely tolerate Muslim rape gangs for fear of offending Muslims, and that a schoolteacher has gone into hiding for the faux offence of causing offence by showing a picture of the Prophet Muhammad?

I could go on but let me turn to the title of this article. For fear of a knock on the door from Mr Plod, we can agree that Muslims are welcome in our country, legally, employed, paying taxes and treating our and their womenfolk with respect. However, if Muslims are to remain here then they must integrate, not be above the law or have laws passed to offer them or their religion special consideration.

My message is, ‘welcome to the United Kingdom – but only if you agree to the following’:

1. No Islamophobia laws

You and your beliefs are to be respected to the same extent as all the other religions which co-exist here. Equally, however, under the auspices of freedom of speech, you will tolerate your beliefs being ridiculed in comedy acts, Korans being burned and any expressions of concern about where your beliefs and culture may not accord with ours.

2. No Sharia courts

You will be subject wholly and exclusively to our legal system.

3. No mosques funded by Islamic countries

If you want to build mosques, you will receive no financial aid towards these from our state and you will not be permitted to build them with money from other Muslim states. No buildings previously used for other forms of worship may be converted to mosques.

4. No call to prayer

If you build mosques, you will not be permitted to issue the call to prayer to the extent that is audible outside of the mosque.

5. No Halal slaughter

All animals slaughtered in this country will be stunned before slaughter.

6. No cousin marriage

To use a terminology you understand, this will become haram. Moreover, no married couples who are cousins will be permitted to settle here, and genetic testing will be used to establish consanguinity. In the same vein, forced or arranged marriage will not be permitted and evidence arising in this regard will be punishable by imprisonment.

7. No Islamic schools

Existing schools will be closed.

8. No burkas or niqabs

Women will not be permitted to cover their faces, and offenders will be arrested and forced to remove their face coverings.

9. No accommodation of Ramadan or public prayers

Employment and education will not be disrupted for Ramadan or Eid. There will be no public celebrations of Ramadan, Eid or Salah.

10. No compromising in schools regarding the sensitivities of Muslims

Specifically, images of the Prophet Muhammad will be shown with impunity, and Christian images will not be removed in case they offend Muslims.

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I consider if the above, or similar, were introduced and enforced we would stem the rising tide of Islamism in the United Kingdom. Our culture, values and way of life would be protected.

My preferred approach would be for immigrants who enter our country from predominantly Muslim countries – or who are perceived to be Muslim – that they be politely handed a laminated card containing the Ten Point Plan and told ‘Welcome to the United Kingdom, them’s the rules. Enjoy your life here.’

 

Roger Watson is a retired academic, editor and writer. He writes regularly for a range of conservative journals including The Salisbury Review and The European Conservative. He has travelled and worked extensively in the Far East and the Middle East. He lives in Kingston upon Hull, UK.

 

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(Photograph: Dilwar H, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)