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I welcomed Cameron into my home, but his talk on British Muslims saddens me 'I welcomed Cameron into my home, but his talk on British Muslims saddens me'
(35 minutes later)
When Amina, 16, tells her friends that the prime minister once spent the night in her parent’s spare room, they don’t believe her. Few people will remember that David Cameron stayed in the sparsely furnished, modest room in Birmingham from which Amina’s brother Fehzan, 18, has just stumbled out half-asleep.When Amina, 16, tells her friends that the prime minister once spent the night in her parent’s spare room, they don’t believe her. Few people will remember that David Cameron stayed in the sparsely furnished, modest room in Birmingham from which Amina’s brother Fehzan, 18, has just stumbled out half-asleep.
Back in 2007, when Cameron was 16 months into his role as the Conservative leader and intent on detoxifying his party’s brand, he was the unlikely house guest of Abdullah and Shahida Rehman, a neighbourhood warden and dinner lady. The politician had been keen to see how community action had transformed a former red light district into a now thriving neighbourhood, and was said to be so impressed that Balsall Heath was called the inspiration for the Big Society. Back in 2007, when Cameron was 16 months into his role as the Conservative leader and intent on detoxifying his party’s brand, he was the unlikely house guest of Abdullah and Shahida Rehman, a neighbourhood warden and dinner lady. The politician had been keen to see how community action had transformed a former red light district into a now thriving neighbourhood, and was said to be so impressed that Balsall Heath was called the inspiration for the ‘big society’.
Cameron’s thank you note was an article in the Guardian, enthusing about the “British Asian way of life”. He wrote: “I found myself thinking that it is mainstream Britain which needs to integrate more ... not the other way around.”Cameron’s thank you note was an article in the Guardian, enthusing about the “British Asian way of life”. He wrote: “I found myself thinking that it is mainstream Britain which needs to integrate more ... not the other way around.”
These days, Cameron talks rather less about how we should follow the example of Muslim communities. After a raft of counter-terrorism policies and legislation focusing on non-violent extremism, in a speech last month he said parts of the Muslim community were “quietly condoning” views that bolstered “Islamist” extremist ideology - to which the Daily Mail gave the headline: UK Muslims helping jihadis, says Cameron. These days, Cameron talks rather less about how we should follow the example of Muslim communities. After a raft of counter-terrorism policies and legislation focusing on non-violent extremism, in a speech last month he said parts of the Muslim community were “quietly condoning” views that bolstered “Islamist” extremist ideology, to which the Daily Mail gave the headline: UK Muslims helping jihadis, says Cameron.
So how do Cameron’s former hosts feel about his change in tone? Rehman, 45, still works for the Balsall Heath Forum, but now as the chief executive. Friendly and energetic despite the fact he is fasting on one of the hottest days of the year, Rehman tells me he is disappointed with his former guest.So how do Cameron’s former hosts feel about his change in tone? Rehman, 45, still works for the Balsall Heath Forum, but now as the chief executive. Friendly and energetic despite the fact he is fasting on one of the hottest days of the year, Rehman tells me he is disappointed with his former guest.
In the intervening years, Cameron has continued their relationship, inviting them to meet him when he visits the city, hosting them at Eid parties in Downing Street, sending Christmas cards and even sending handwritten letters to Amina and Zainab. The family show me a photo album commemorating his visit, including a touching condolence letter Cameron wrote after Rehman’s mother died. With such personal kindness, Rehman is hesitant to criticise the prime minister, whom he describes as “warm” and “a good listener”.In the intervening years, Cameron has continued their relationship, inviting them to meet him when he visits the city, hosting them at Eid parties in Downing Street, sending Christmas cards and even sending handwritten letters to Amina and Zainab. The family show me a photo album commemorating his visit, including a touching condolence letter Cameron wrote after Rehman’s mother died. With such personal kindness, Rehman is hesitant to criticise the prime minister, whom he describes as “warm” and “a good listener”.
In spite of this, he says he strongly agrees with the criticism of the prime minister’s change in tone made by Lady Warsi, who argues that Cameron is alienating the Muslim community.In spite of this, he says he strongly agrees with the criticism of the prime minister’s change in tone made by Lady Warsi, who argues that Cameron is alienating the Muslim community.
Rehman is a well-known figure in the area, and conversations with him are punctuated with pauses as he stops to playfully insult friends and local residents. He is obviously proud of Balsall Heath, pointing out its hanging baskets and enthusing about young people’s volunteer work.Rehman is a well-known figure in the area, and conversations with him are punctuated with pauses as he stops to playfully insult friends and local residents. He is obviously proud of Balsall Heath, pointing out its hanging baskets and enthusing about young people’s volunteer work.
Yet he grows serious when he talks about how the government’s rhetoric is putting a strain on British Muslims. “The Muslim community is loyal and committed to protecting this country,” says Rehman, whose father owned a shop, and whose grandfather arrived in the UK in the 1950s. “I have not spoken to one person who condones what is happening [in Syria and Iraq].”Yet he grows serious when he talks about how the government’s rhetoric is putting a strain on British Muslims. “The Muslim community is loyal and committed to protecting this country,” says Rehman, whose father owned a shop, and whose grandfather arrived in the UK in the 1950s. “I have not spoken to one person who condones what is happening [in Syria and Iraq].”
Rehman adds: “He should be saying the majority of us are doing good, and we are trying our best to fight the tiny, tiny minority. I can offer so much to my British neighbours and friends, but will they feel suspicious of me now?Rehman adds: “He should be saying the majority of us are doing good, and we are trying our best to fight the tiny, tiny minority. I can offer so much to my British neighbours and friends, but will they feel suspicious of me now?
“The community feel they are being targeted. The headlines in newspapers are different when it is a Muslim who has committed violence. If you look at [Zack Davies, who attempted to murder a Sikh dentist in January] wasn’t that terrorism? It made me afraid for myself and my children – will they be attacked by someone with supremacist views?”“The community feel they are being targeted. The headlines in newspapers are different when it is a Muslim who has committed violence. If you look at [Zack Davies, who attempted to murder a Sikh dentist in January] wasn’t that terrorism? It made me afraid for myself and my children – will they be attacked by someone with supremacist views?”
Rehman takes me to visit a female deacon whose ordination is being celebrated with a dinner at the local mosque and explains that support from religious institutions was an essential part of the neighbourhood’s revival. But now, he says, Muslims feel their faith is being unfairly stigmatised.Rehman takes me to visit a female deacon whose ordination is being celebrated with a dinner at the local mosque and explains that support from religious institutions was an essential part of the neighbourhood’s revival. But now, he says, Muslims feel their faith is being unfairly stigmatised.
He says: “I think it’s OK if everyone is treated the same and [the government] are going to tackle extremists for all backgrounds, and all religions, but that’s not what is happening.He says: “I think it’s OK if everyone is treated the same and [the government] are going to tackle extremists for all backgrounds, and all religions, but that’s not what is happening.
“The English Defence League has marched here, and Britain First has visited our mosque with its ‘Christian patrols’,” he continues, his soft voice growing angry, “but we don’t ask all Christians to condemn them, or call them ‘Christian extremists’ – because they obviously don’t hold Christian values, and it would be derogatory to say they do.”“The English Defence League has marched here, and Britain First has visited our mosque with its ‘Christian patrols’,” he continues, his soft voice growing angry, “but we don’t ask all Christians to condemn them, or call them ‘Christian extremists’ – because they obviously don’t hold Christian values, and it would be derogatory to say they do.”
Rehman says he has already written to the prime minister, urging him to visit again so he can see how hard communities are working to combat extremism and counter some of these views. The Forum, he says, is working with a group that supports young substance abusers – including those at risk of radicalisation – and has even renamed its annual youth awards in honour of Alan Henning, who was murdered by Islamic State last year.Rehman says he has already written to the prime minister, urging him to visit again so he can see how hard communities are working to combat extremism and counter some of these views. The Forum, he says, is working with a group that supports young substance abusers – including those at risk of radicalisation – and has even renamed its annual youth awards in honour of Alan Henning, who was murdered by Islamic State last year.
New legislation which requires public bodies to report individuals believed to be at risk of radicalisation is also something that worries Rehman. “There is a risk of silencing people. This will stop people from expressing their views because [they fear] being seen as extremists,” he says.New legislation which requires public bodies to report individuals believed to be at risk of radicalisation is also something that worries Rehman. “There is a risk of silencing people. This will stop people from expressing their views because [they fear] being seen as extremists,” he says.
Ultimately, he says, the government should be focusing on bringing people together rather than increasing suspicion of Muslims. He adds: “Make people part of the solution [and] they will abide by the laws of the land.Ultimately, he says, the government should be focusing on bringing people together rather than increasing suspicion of Muslims. He adds: “Make people part of the solution [and] they will abide by the laws of the land.
“If your children come home and they feel loved, then leaving will be the last thing on their minds. It’s the same with our country. You have to make where you live loveable.”“If your children come home and they feel loved, then leaving will be the last thing on their minds. It’s the same with our country. You have to make where you live loveable.”
Rehman said Cameron has replied to his latest invitation, but this time to say his diary was full and “he will try to visit when there is a free spot”. However, if the prime minister does turn up again in his spare bedroom, the message from Rehman will be clear: “I love this country, my father loved it and my children love it. So don’t take away our contribution.”Rehman said Cameron has replied to his latest invitation, but this time to say his diary was full and “he will try to visit when there is a free spot”. However, if the prime minister does turn up again in his spare bedroom, the message from Rehman will be clear: “I love this country, my father loved it and my children love it. So don’t take away our contribution.”