The risk of extremism

26 September 2006

Grantham Journal article

Should we rearrange Grantham cemetery so in future all new graves point to Mecca?

It’s not a stupid or an abstract question. One London borough has apparently already decided to do so. Others are considering it.

Many people will say they don’t care which way their body, or the headstone that covers their ashes, points after death. They probably never thought the matter worth a second’s reflection in the course of their lives and are likely to have either higher preoccupations, or none at all, once they have left this world. So why should non-Muslims care either way?

I fear however that the matter is not that simple. A widespread move across the country in this direction will be seen as a great concession – and a great encouragement – to the minority of Muslims who aspire to replace our existing laws by the Sharia, the religious law of Islam. That minority, while vociferous, is thus far, at least so far as I can judge, very small. I can think of few things more undesirable – and irresponsible – than to boost it.

One of the great British virtues is tolerance – and mutual respect. Another is an abhorrence of violence. A third is a sense of moderation and balance, and a resulting talent for compromise. Fanaticism and extremism of any kind offend against all three.

Citizenship of this country has nothing to do with religion or race. Over the last fifteen months since Islamic terrorism became a live threat here I have often thought of the countless decent honest hard-working Muslim families here who have only good will for their neighbours, Christian or otherwise. Like the rest of us they desire a benign and stable environment for their children. They are usually much more devoted to the political values of this country than of the country they, or their parents or grandparents, left behind.

All those aspirations will be thwarted if extremism gains the upper hand. But moderate Muslims can hardly oppose creeping Islamisation if non-Muslims acquiesce in it.

This particular piece of nonsense should not happen here.