19
On Thursday I was meant to have tea at the House of Lords with Baroness Warsi and a group of good ladies connected to the British Pakistan Foundation. Unfortunately, not for the first time, my domestic responsibilities prevented me from entering the Houses of Parliament. I say “unfortunately” – but I am more than happy to spend time with my son during half-term holidays. Especially as I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to say to Warsi.
I was meant to be writing a piece about Great British Pakistani women – which I will – but Warsi’s opinion piece about religion in Britain’s best selling quality newspaper rattled my cage before I had the chance to reflect on her role as Britain’s first female Muslim minister. It rattled the cages of friends on Twitter too. When I humble-bragged that I would be drinking tea with the Baroness, Tweeps got in touch and asked me to pick bones with the lady.
In her article, entitled “We stand side by side with the Pope in fighting for faith”, she claims that “militant secularisation is taking hold of our societies”. Warsi’s words come hot on the heels of the prime minister’s pledge to remind Britons that they live in an essentially Christian country. As a non-Christian, who has represented Britain overseas, and is incredibly proud of diverse Britain, my heart aches when our prime minister feels the need to state a single religious identity on my country.
The Baroness claims that the “values we hold and the things we fight for all stem from centuries of discussion, dissent and belief in Christianity”. Like the great philosopher, Nietzsche, I don’t disagree that in Europe our system of moral judgment, is essentially inherited from Christian values. And in turn many of our religious festivals stem from our pagan times. It’s how history works. But I do query how useful it is.
Britain has been amongst those who promote less faith-based governance in Islamic countries – and eyes have rolled at the involvement of “religious elements” in the new Egypt. In many places, Britain has attempted to undermine traditional tribal and Sharia systems in favour of our western notions of democracy. And yet, in Britain we still have 26 un-elected Church of England Bishops* involved in the Parliamentary process, making decisions on our laws, and more than a nuance of Christianity in our governance and legislative structures.
As my Twitter followers will tell you, I claimed I would come off the fence about religion. Like Warsi, I am not afraid to stand up and say what I believe in. Until I see a stronger argument against, I am in favour of secular rule. The Baroness expressed concern that when “secularisation is pushed to an extreme” it would result in the “complete removal of faith from the public sphere”. This is the very definition of secularism. What Warsi doesn’t do is present an argument for what faith brings to public sphere. I believe, as human beings we are perfectly able to govern at a national and local level on the basis of an agreed set of policies not based on faith, and ones that do not serve to alienate anyone.
Governance free from faith, should not be confused with failure to recognise the rights and frankly the beauty of the multitude of faiths that exist in Britain – or in other countries. I personally believe spirituality and belief should occupy a personal space, and never be imposed on anyone else. This is about an ultimate tolerance – a tolerance which is professed by many religions, not least the Abrahamic ones. I fully agree with Warsi when she writes, “If people understand that accepting a person of another faith isn’t a threat to their own, they can unite in fighting bigotry and work together to create a more just world”. I would add to her words, an understanding that people who are not aligned with a single faith also pose no threat, and can equally contribute to debate and take action towards a more just world.
The British government has waded in this week on issue in Devon Council – overturning a High Court decision that it was unlawful to pray before local council meetings. Some might suggest a proper evaluation of the pros and cons of official prayers, before we decide that our tax-paid councilors should or shouldn’t. Is the alienation felt by non-prayers less relevant than any clarity of mind that praying evokes?
I’m not against praying. I myself am prone to pause for contemplation and thanks from time to time. And the right to pray for civil servants in prayer rooms, for employees during religious festivals and for Ahmadis in Pakistan – are all issues I fully support. However, I do not believe that prayer should be part of official business.
It’s not the first time I have disagreed with the Baroness. My readers will know that I have previously ranted at Warsi’s stance on Islamophobia . As I said in that piece, if the British government are serious about cohesion and integration they should focus on Warsi’s other strengths, perhaps as a lawyer, for fear of turning her into their honourary Muslim token.
Disappointingly, Warsi again sounds little more than Cameron’s token female, minority messenger – who resides safely in the House of Lords. I may have blown the chance to write about her other strengths – like anyone and anything I am sure she is multi-faceted.
*It’s worth noting that in Britain’s “democracy”, we also have unelected Government Ministers, like Baroness Warsi having input into policy.
Caroline Jaine is a UK based writer, artist and film-maker with a background in media strategy, training and diplomacy. Her book A Better Basra, about her time in Iraq was published in August 2011. More about Caroline’s work and her contact details can be found on www.jaine.info and facebook.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Religion should not be blamed
I salute Zia Mahmood for his excellent comments to the muslims living in a non-muslim countries.
Yes, impose your 'sharia' in your own country or leave the country which gives you & your family freedom. Look on the non-muslims in muslim countries and in Pakistan the treatment/torture they are facing.
Religion Islam And its Book Quran is for every age and for every human being on this earth. Only we have to
analysis carefully and thoroughly. Where as our name and back ground are our roots. Our identity. Our respect in the eyes of other religions. And if we will not act according to our Deen's beliefs, we would loose respect. And this is what Muslims are today.
A thumbs up, Caroline!
Long live Baroness Warsi.
What else from a Baroness from religion loving Pakistan — but religion.
Nasah…you show your total ignorance..she has spoken about a multitude of other issues yet you like others just choose to focus one thing…
Islam is all about freedom, i still can't get over the fact that people coming out of so called 100% fully Muslim contries can be so rigid about Faith. Stop this Deen and Mazhab thing, we can not and should try to impose our beliefs on others whatever they maybe. We can put them out there for others to see and if they like them they could adopt them for themselves. If you all are interested to spread Islam then do that by showing yourselves as perfect examples of what turely Islam stands for, not the stupidity that is being played out in Pakistan, Afganistan and other Muslim states in the name of Islam.
European, North and South American values are grounded in Christian faith. Its generosity, compassion and love allowed people like me to open its doors and enjoy its riches and liberties. Leave and go back, if we do not like it. It is our choice. Let us not bite the hand that feeds us. Zia Mahmood
Religion, is a system, the way of life, how can we separate it, it is the confusion created around the religion, and the monster made out of religion. Religion is nothing but the values, it is not personal, because it teaches you how to interact in the society, and teaches you how to behave in a social world. As long as there are neighbours there remain a duty to look after them. Now rituals are different things. One can pray in a separate room, and in isolation if they want, and that is what is needed to be understood, what Religion is, and what role does it play in our life.
Religion is a personal thing for everyone. Do whatever your religion says but don't impose it on others and bother others as well..
So Britain is not secular after all. Good to hear that.
Some religious injunctions are of personal nature, they should not be imposed on others. Some injunction are for the whole society, such as, Thou Shall not Kill. The state needs to make sure that those who kill others are promptly and severly punished. Taking of innocent life is cosidered to be a crime by all religions and all societies. There are other crimes on which societies do not agree. For example, while religious and moral values of Britain with respect to adultry and fornication has changed so these acts are not considered as crimes. The religious and moral values of Pakistan requires that such acts be considered as crime. It is in such area that Western societies want to impose their value system on Islamic societies and claim that "sharia" should be a personal matter.
An excellent article, Separation of the church and the state is important for today's modern society.
People like baroness want to have the best of both, to remain in the parliament she has to show that some interest of hers and Cameron are common and she does not get labelled as backing up muslims which is likely known as the terrorist nation!
Being a non-Christain I strongly feel that the UK should celebrate its Christain heritage and tradition . It is because of this tradition including that of tolerance that other faiths are freely practiced and flourish. What is happening to the followers of other faiths in Muslim countries is there for all to see.
I absolutely agree with your view point. The UK is fair to all faiths and that is there for all to see. The danger is that some foreign faiths that exist in the UK abuse the hospitality and that can lead to a backlash in the future that the majority will be able to justify. It is also important that muslim countries also afford the same respect for all religions if they expect the hospitality to continue in christian countries. We live in an information age and the world is waking up to this fact.
There is a Religion who gives guidelines for collective life of people. How can such a Religion be a personal matter? "Mazhab" can be a personal matter, but Deen" is altogather a different concept. Islam is a "Deen" and not a "mazhab". Being a muslim demands you something mcuh higher than your personal matters.
But Islam teaches us "to you your religion and to me mine" and that "there is no compulsion in religion" … so we can argue about semantics as much as we like between Mazhab and Deen … the fact remains if we stuck with the teachings of the Quran we would very much keep our faith personal … and in particular prevent any institution, be it governmental or private, from imposing religious practice upon anyone .
Excellent Caroline, well written. Religion is our personal matter, we shouldn't bring to the public (imposing on others). People have every right to pray as per their faith and belief, but it doesn't mean show your STRENGTH by praying b4 a public meeting.