Al-Istiqamah: I'd
like to discuss the issue of criminalising an entire community.
After some of the failed plots, 21/7 for example, there has
been a drive by the media to portray the whole of the British
Muslim population as potential 'terrorists'.
Umm Ruqayya: Yes.
Al-Istiqamah: Some
of the convicted Muslim prisoners have suffered brutal attacks
behind bars. What do you, as a Muslim woman who has felt some
of the public's hostility directed at yourself and your children
feel about such incidents?
Umm Ruqayya: There is no human who
is exempt from human rights. We have to think, whatever crime
they may or may not have done, even if we don't share their
views, we must still remember our duties to our convicted
Muslim brothers. Some of the arrested brothers were at the
heart of the community and when they get removed, it's as
if they were never there. Why is there this wall of invisibility?
If it were to happen to you, then you'd feel differently.
This ummah is governed by fear.
Al-Istiqamah: Do
you feel that convicted Muslim prisoners have far less support
than those who have not been convicted and are deemed 'political
prisoners'?
Umm Ruqayya: I do and again, it's
the fear factor. If all of the Muslim community in Britain
stood up, the government would have to take note. There are
many groups in this country who support prisoners who have
been convicted of horrendous crimes: paedophilia, rape, murder
etc. Their rights are far more respected than Muslim brothers
who may or may not have been guilty. Many were found guilty
by association. It is not for us to judge them. There is a
[legal] system in this country which has already judged them
and there is a greater Judge and that is Allah. To us they
are our brothers and we have responsibilities towards them.
Al-Istiqamah: One
thing I've noticed is the lack of outrage amongst Muslims
when convicted prisoners are demonised in the tabloids - Abu
Hamza for example. The way his disabilities are ridiculed,
simply because they know they can get away with it because
the Muslim community is too fearful to offer support.
Umm Ruqayya: Yes, a paraplegic man
who is blind in one eye... it would be politically incorrect
to make fun of his disabilities in any other context. It's
open season on Muslims because the distinction between 'Muslim'
and 'human' has become blurred.
Al-Istiqamah: There's
a similarity with how the Jewish race was criminalised in
the 1930's.
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