Salma Yacoob, Salma, didn't you once write an article for the Islamist magazine, Trends (edited by Inayat Bunglawala of the MCB) which imagined an Islamic Republic of Great Britain? Your Wikipedia page used to say that you studied the Holocaust - why the obsession with Jews? And why not join a mainstream movement like the Labour or Conservative Party, and use your undoubtable skills to help move change from within - rather than without?
Asked by oneill on Sep 07 2007 2:23:08 PM and supported by 20 members
MORE!
The article is a skit and a parody!! It was aimed at students, and
was supposed to be a humorous take, which I think it pretty self-
evident for anybody who reads it.
I studied the Holocaust because I wanted to try and understand how an
attempt to exterminate an entire race of people could happen right
here in the heart of Western European civilization. I was disturbed
at the horrors millions of Jews were subjected to. The fact that
‘ordinary’ people supported and participated in these horrors – and
millions of others stood by in silence – raised many questions for
me : spiritual and political. In my personal journey I am committed
to ensuring that I would never stay silent in the oppression of
others – regardless of the victims or perpetrators.
I did not join a mainstream party because I saw no real differences
on policy between any of them. All three supported the invasion of
Iraq (granted the Lib Dems were reluctant bombers), all three support
the occupation of Afghanistan, and all three are committed to
increasing privatisation. Every time I attend councillors meetings in
Birmingham where the city council is run by a Lib Dem/Tory coalition
and Labour are in opposition, I am reminded how on real issues there
is not a fig leaf of difference between them. If I had joined them, I
would not have been given the space or platform to advocate the views
that I currently have outside the mainstream.