I caught a short video interview originally from GB News with Nigel Farage the leader of the Reform Party in the UK and Reem Al Hashimy who serves as Minister of State for International Cooperation for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ms Al Hasimy told Mr Farage just why the UAE banned the Muslim Brotherhood from operating in the UAE. She told of her nation’s view that Islam is a private faith and although it may be a source of morality guidance for some, it should not become a part of politics. I must say that I find myself in full agreement with Ms Al Hashimy there. She’s talking about those Muslims who believe in their god and use the best bits of their scripture to give themselves positive moral guidance. I can’t disagree with that. She’s not saying that the state in the UAE should look into men’s souls, just that extremist versions of Islamic belief should not become flesh.
There are of course going to be those in the UAE who are extremist minded but the UAE’s governing classes recognise and more importantly recognise publicly that religious extremism will not be helpful for their society. This is a message that British governments need to take on. Not banning groups like the Muslim Brotherhood or similar extremist groups is emboldening such groups. In my view not cracking down on religious extremists, especially religious extremists with a record for violence and oppression, is a misplaced application of the concept of religious freedom. This is because in intra-religious situaitons communities become more hostile to heterodox or more open minded believers and in the wider world exposes everyone to more danger from violent extremism.
I do believe that it is possible to peacefully believe in a faith and even to admire those who are strict and uncompromising believers in their faith and not become a violent extremist but that situation can only come about if political authorities recognise the more dangerous and challenging types of religious extremism and deal with it robustly. I for example, admire immensely the learning and piety of Haredi Jews, I’m in awe of their knowledge and believe that they play an important spiritual and moral role in Judaism. However I’ve no wish whatsoever to see the Haredim controlling the State of Israel as the Taliban control Afghanistan. I don’t want that because I know that it would turn Israel into a place that would reject many other sorts of Jews. It would create division where broad unity is needed. I also believe that one day the Moshicach will come, even though he tarries much and salve the world’s wounds and Jew turning on Jew over baseless hatred will not hasten the Moshicach’s arrival.
Equally a Christian or a Muslim can believe that one day the whole world will turn to their version of the Eternal One and they are perfectly entitled to believe that. But promoting these world views should not be accompanied with violence, the threat of violence or even the implication of violence.
Religious extremists and particularly those extremists with an adherence to the more violent currents within Islam can be cracked down upon. The UAE has recognised that their nation cannot be a haven for extremists of their own faith group and have acted accordingly to stop extremists damaging their society. Britain should look to the UAE’s example and do the same and actively and publicly counter religious extremism when it threatens national security and social peace. If a UK government did that then we would all benefit. The majority population would benefit and the minority Muslim population would also benefit as they could believe what they want without the spectre of the extremist hovering over them threateningly.
Here’s the link to the video where Mr Farage interviews Ms Al Hasimy.