United we must stand in fight against terror and suspicion

Published on Tuesday 1 July 2008 21:42

The threat of divided communities in the wake of terrorist attacks in the UK has failed to materialise, says Bashir Ahmad

THIS week's one-year anniversary of the Glasgow Airport terror attack is the perfect time to reflect on the lessons learned and to assess how far we've come together as a nation.

On 30 June, 2007 Scotland woke up to the real and indiscriminate threat of global terrorism. The misconception that Scotland would never be a target for terrorists was, on that day, abruptly destroyed.

Such events are defining moments in a country's history – important not just for the event itself but, more importantly, how we react to it. I was overjoyed that a week after the attack close to 2,000 people gathered in Glasgow's George Square to send out a united message against terror of any kind. It was a symbol of great hope that communities can pull together rather than drift apart.

Besides a couple of minor incidents, the feared cataclysmic backlash simply did not occur. Just as in the aftermath of the atrocious, racist murder of teenager Kriss Donald in 2004, our communities resisted the temptation to indulge in the politics of blame and fear. For this we should give ourselves a well deserved pat on the back.

Having said that, I believe not everyone has learned the lessons or, indeed, taken on the positive sentiments expressed in the aftermath of the attack.

In December 2007 I scanned figures obtained from the British Transport Police on the number of stop and searches they conducted in the six months after the attack. It was with a heavy heart I read that they had carried out more than 15,000 searches, around 14 per cent of which were on members of the Asian community – who make up only 2 per cent of the population.

Anyone subjected to a "Section 44" search will know the feeling of humiliation and degradation often expressed to me by members of my community who have been stopped in railways, airports, or simply driving in their cars. Far from isolating young Muslims, we should aim to empower them to tackle the problem of radicalisation and extremism head-on.

This is why I was so pleased to attend the launch of the Scottish- Islamic Foundation in June. The foundation promotes the message that to be a good Muslim is to be an active citizen. I am delighted that it is second-, third- and fourth- generation Muslims leading while us old-timers take a back seat.

Scotland is unique in its ability to bring together the Muslim and non-Muslim communities, which most of Europe has failed to do. As Charles Farr, UK anti-terrorism chief, remarked recently, Scotland is inherently different, with its close-knit communities, compared with other parts of the UK.

Scotland has a global role to play in bridging the gap between the Muslim world and the West. We are an internationally respected and well-liked people, but, more than this, our message of "one nation many cultures" is as powerful as they come.

Why can Glasgow or Edinburgh not be up there with the likes of Oslo and Geneva, which have been instrumental in international reconciliation?

Our only challenge in this respect is to avoid flirting with the politics of fear, which does nothing more than breed suspicion between communities. This means being willing to tackle the tough challenges we face head-on. We must recognise that the scourge of Islamophobia, which has increased year on year since 9/11, is a real worry in the lives of Scottish Muslims.

I also have grave concerns regarding the bill to extend the pre-charge detention limit to 42 days that the UK government is trying to push through Westminster.

It is not only unnecessary, but will be extremely harmful. The current 28-day limit for pre-charge detention is excessive, as there has never been a case where it was needed. In addition, it is clear that such measures erode the civil liberties we wish to protect from the global threat of terrorism.

To separate a person from their family for a month and a half and take them away from their livelihood without charge is incompatible with the values of a liberal democracy.

In addition, I fear the Muslim community will become further stigmatised and isolated if this legislation is pushed through.

Of course the Muslim community has a role to play in educating society on the true values of Islam and dispelling misconceptions. We must promote the Islam that says a Muslim cannot sleep while his neighbour is awake hungry; the Islam that says killing one life is like killing the whole of humanity and saving one life is like saving the whole of mankind.

I believe we as a community are learning this lesson. It is why I am happy to learn that Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling Central Mosque will hold open days for people to explore the mosque and come to the conclusion that, just like our country's churches, a mosque is a place of worship and peace.

We have come a long way since the Glasgow airport attack. While many lessons have been taken on board we still have much to learn.

It is my hope that we in Scotland continue to conduct the debate on terrorism and radicalisation in a sensible fashion.

We must avoid creating a climate of fear and suspicion and empower the Muslim community to be forceful in promoting the true moderate Islam the overwhelming majority of them practise.

&#149 Bashir Ahmad, MSP, was born in India before partition, but brought up in Pakistan. He came to Scotland aged 21 and worked as a bus conductor and bus driver before buying his own shop. He was elected to the Scottish Parliament on the SNP list for Glasgow in May 2007. He took his oath of office in the Urdu language.