Ed has an important piece up at CiF.
Let’s cut to the chase: we have a problem with connected identity here in Britain. It’s not just Muslims such as Khan who feel disconnected from Britain – the problems of atomised, self-centred existence are widespread. The “nothing-to-do-with-me-guv” mindset has caused us damage. It has made us unwilling to find common ground with our fellow citizens.
British bashfulness also prevents us from talking about ourselves. “Mustn’t grumble” stops us from complaining about our identity malaise. An aversion to ideas and anything remotely intellectual – unlike the eager French – blocks any discussion of shared values, or common ideas that glue us together. But for how much longer? I believe that this lack of a vigorous debate is damaging Britain.
The strongest challenge to Britain’s value system since the civil war is in our midst. … Britain has failed to re-invent itself or to find a new, attractive identity.
But can a secular, liberal democracy in 2009 sustain values-based challenges from faith communities? Time will tell, but a national conversation is overdue.
…
We need to move beyond simplistic debates about identity and engage with the deeper issues that are at stake. Too often, commentators have suggested that a united society can be built on shared tastes in sport, food, and clothing. This is not enough: such arguments overlook that the 7/7 bombers played cricket, ate fish and chips and dressed in jeans. We need a deeper debate about the core values that can bind us together as a nation.
Quilliam is also hosting an event on this topic, on their first birthday, St George’s Day, and Shakespeare’s birthday.
Thursday 23rd April, 2009
6:00pm, central London venue
Why does Britain face a difficult challenge around integration today? Is it because, as some claim, we have too many immigrants? Or because of Britain’s liberal sexual mores that seemingly contradict religious teachings? Or is it because our shared national space —pubs — appear inaccessible to some? Or are democracy and the secular state unacceptable to those who want to govern in God’s name? Or do Asian forced and arranged marriages abroad create generational tensions here in Britain? Or even more fundamentally — is it the lack of a shared sense of history, perhaps?
Are these differences irreconcilable? Ultimately, how do we overcome these and other problems and build a Britain in which future generations will be proud?
On St George’s Day and Shakespeare’s birthday, to mark our first anniversary Quilliam will be hosting a debate with a unique panel to address these crucial questions and offer a vision of a better Britain.
Guest speakers:
How do we build a Britain of shared values?
Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Being British — what it’s not
Michael Gove MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools & Families
A sense of Britishness from an eclectic Muslim woman
Parvin Ali OBE, Britain’s first female Muslim chaplain and founder of FATIMA Network
British Muslims and participative citizenship: problems and potential solutions
Dr Tahir Abbas, sociologist, University of Birmingham
Chair: Ed Husain, author of ‘The Islamist’ and co-founder of Quilliam
Quilliam directors will also present highlights of our work over the last year.
Spaces are limited to 300. To confirm a place, please RSVP to lucy.james@quilliamfoundation.org. For security purposes, the venue will be disclosed at a later date upon confirmation.
