Questions about life for Muslims in Britain.

[Tahereh]

Hello brothers and sisters! Essalamu Aleykoum!

I need help from Brothers and Sisters in Britain. Would any of you have the adress and /or contact numbers of an Islamic Centre in Cambridge (UK)?
In addition, I would like to know what it is like to live in Britain for Muslims. Especially for women, in work environment? Is there any distrust when applying for jobs? Can a Muslim woman teach / lecture while wearing the Hijab? What does British law allow about that? And what is the reality at work about it? How is it viewed to wear a headscarf at work?
Also, are there isolated prayer rooms, for example, on a University site? in schools? Could some of you share his/her experience with me please?
Waiting for your help. Thanks.
Salam Aleykoum,
Tahereh

 

[Ghareebah]

salam alaykum

i cant say much about cambridge because i dont live there and i dont know much about it. what i can tell you is that London is a diverse city with many different types of cultures and many muslims from different backrounds. of all the 15 years i lived in london i havent really expereinced islamaphobia however it depends on where in london you live. i see many women who work with headscrafs some with even nikabs. although there are some rare cases where women are taunted or looked at weirdly for their hijabs but that doesnt happen very often. the universities have islamic societies and prayer rooms for brothers and sisters are provided for muslims. muslim women and men are allowed to dress as they want (headscarf, beard,thowb etc sometimes niqab) in universities, schools also allow the hijab for girls.
the english law i would say does provide fairness to those muslims who are unfairly dismissed from their job because of their religion. i remember one case where a muslim woman took her employer to court for firing her because of her hijab which she said was unappropriate for the job role (the job was a hairdresser).

im sorry i cant help you with cambridge i dont know how many muslims live there or what its like, i hope however these websites will be of help

http://www.cambridgemuslims.info/AboutUs/

http://www.colc.co.uk/page/senmuslims.html

http://web.anglia.ac.uk/chaplaincy/cambridge/muslim.phtml

 

[Al-Kashmiri]

As-salaamu `alaykum.

While I generally concur with the above statements, I feel more needs to be added, since I have lived in London my whole life; my mother was born her, as was my son... I live in one of the UK's most Pakistani/Kashmir populated constituencies, and still, nearly every time my wife goes out by herself in this area she gets some comments cos of her jilbaab, niqaab etc. Generally, it is still good/better than the pretty much the rest of UK, but the attitude towards Islaam here is terrible, and the Muslims are partially to blame for that. For example the case mentioned above about the hairdresser, that was just pathetic for a Muslim to rant about.

Another problem, is the attention that movements like "Al-Muhajiroon" get, how much popularity they have and how many people are actually influenced by them (only idiots). These people are making life hard upon the Muslims in the UK, and are worsening the already bad image of Islaam and Muslims.

To be honest, most people I know, Muslim or not, are trying to leave this country or at least claiming that they will. It would be pointless coming here, unless it is for one of the Islamic legislated reasons for moving to another land, such as study for a science that can't be sought in the Muslims' lands.

Maybe places like Canada are better... In a study, it was shown that the Canadians had a better perception on Islaam and Muslims, in comparison to Americans, the English and Austrailians. How accurate that survey was, Allaah knows best.

Was-salaam

 

[Umm Ismael]

Asselemou Alaikum,

It is easier in England than any other european country ( and even for some "muslim" countries )for a women to work with her Hijab. I did an internship in a bank in london with my Hijab, alhamduli Allah, there was meche Allah a praying room and we were used to do salat Jumuaa in the bank meche Allah.

we should be close to Allah every where.. we should be examples of our Deen everywhere with our good behavior following Quran and Sunna.. it is through good examples inche Allah that things could change.. and not by escaping the situation..Allah knows best..
Sometimes it is very hard.. but it is hard for good reasons.. it was hard for Isselef.. Allah knows best..

Salam

 

[meedan]

Salaam Tahereh,

Please see the following link to the Islamic Society of Cambridge (http://www.isoc.co.uk) and also their email address ([email protected] ). You'll find lots of information with regards to prayer at Cambridge University and if you have any further questions then i'm sure if you contact them directly you will get your answers.

As far as living in Britain is concerned then i have no doubt in saying that if you were to survey the muslims of this country then i am sure the majority would say that they have freedom to practise islam. Yes there are the odd cases where muslims have faced bias and prejudice but this is in the minority and should not deter people from the general consensus that it is a tolerant society, willing to let people practise their believes.

With regards the work environment my sisters have been to university, M.A. are now working in professional careers, and they both wear the scarf and south asian (and sometimes a mix of asian and western) dress. This has not created a problem with either getting a job or relationships at work.

What i would say about the hijaab is that i would advise you to assess the employer, e.g. do they require a specific uniform? Do they have a specific guideline on face to face conduct? If you know that there are strict requirements then either you can avoid this employer or you can contact them and guage their opinion. Be open and honest with them, there has been a case where a woman went for an interview without a hijaab and then when it came to the class room she came in with the hijaab, this was not acceptable to the employer (i think it was a school). Now, i don't know the full circumstances so i can not judge who is right or wrong but the lesson from this is to research your employer.

I am sure if the employer sees that you are valuable asset to their organisation, they will IA employ you.

Best of luck in whatever you plan to do.

Nadeem

 

[Ghareebah]

As-salaamu `alaykum.

While I generally concur with the above statements, I feel more needs to be added, since I have lived in London my whole life; my mother was born her, as was my son... I live in one of the UK's most Pakistani/Kashmir populated constituencies, and still, nearly every time my wife goes out by herself in this area she gets some comments cos of her jilbaab, niqaab etc. Generally, it is still good/better than the pretty much the rest of UK, but the attitude towards Islaam here is terrible, and the Muslims are partially to blame for that. For example the case mentioned above about the hairdresser, that was just pathetic for a Muslim to rant about.

Another problem, is the attention that movements like "Al-Muhajiroon" get, how much popularity they have and how many people are actually influenced by them (only idiots). These people are making life hard upon the Muslims in the UK, and are worsening the already bad image of Islaam and Muslims.

To be honest, most people I know, Muslim or not, are trying to leave this country or at least claiming that they will. It would be pointless coming here, unless it is for one of the Islamic legislated reasons for moving to another land, such as study for a science that can't be sought in the Muslims' lands.

Maybe places like Canada are better... In a study, it was shown that the Canadians had a better perception on Islaam and Muslims, in comparison to Americans, the English and Austrailians. How accurate that survey was, Allaah knows best.

Was-salaam

:salam2:

first of all brother where do you live? i was only refering to what i know of london. i know life is getting hard for muslims in the west, but from my experience london is the most friendliest to muslims. for example after the 7/7 bombings on the underground tube i went out 3days after and used the actual trains, people didnot care i was muslim or that i was wearing hijab (by the way i was all in black) i looked like the odd one out. infact everyone sat next to me black or white, one woman didnt even care she was sitting very close to me.

i myself do not love any kuffar country, im actually in a muslim land now with my husband, but will have to come back soon to uk for medical reasons.

the case about the hairdresser, yes i know it was pathetic but my reason for stating it was because the english law does do some justice for muslims. we must not be unjust and say kuffar are all bad to us,yes they disobey Allah but we must be fair and state the good they do as well as the bad, because that is justice.

Muslim countries however do not give help and sopport to muslims because of race and colour, why is it that a muslim person from any backround can apply for a kuffar passport but all arab countries refuse to give you it? why do kuffar provide free healthcare and council houses but muslim countries you have to pay for those things? why is it easy to find jobs in the west and virtually hard in muslim countries? im not saying muslim countries shouldnt be migrated to but it is extremely hard nowadays. did you know that if a man wants to take his kids and wife to a muslim country he has to go back to the kuffar country to work in order to sopport his family because there are no jobs available for foreighners in muslim countries. by the way Egypt is by far the least racist arab nation to black muslims and other non arabs, the only problem is there are no jobs available for non arab egyptians and the country is poor.

but im not despairing despite the difficulties i still prefer the muslim countries, may Allah make it esy for us ameen

 

[Zafran]

salaam

The university i go to has a seperate parayer rooms for men and women and up in Yorkshire there are racists and anti islamic people about but most of the people around here are highly ignorant.

 

[Tahereh]

Thanks for your concern.

Essalamu Aleykoum!

First of all, thanks a lot for your answers, to all of you, Nadeem, Zafran, Ghareebah, Umm Ismail and our brother too. Of course I understand from your replies that experiences in the UK remain diverse. Yet, it seems to me, on the whole, fairly optimistic.
Indeed, when I compare some of your examples to France and even to a "Muslim" country such as Morocco, it seems that the situation in Britain is not that bad for Muslims... In France, for example, it is strictly prohibited to come and teach / lecture in schools and universities while wearing a hijab; there are of course no prayer rooms available; and if you try praying in a room that happens to be empty and that you're seen or "caught", then you will get serious trouble with the headmaster and administration. Likewise in all "French schools" abroad, and even in Muslim countries, where as a "French teacher / Lecturer", you are supposed to "embody" French culture...(!) and wearing the hijab for a woman is absolutely not what the local population expects from a French teacher! It is even considered as outrageous, even outside school, by people who, as Muslims, would be expected to wear it, but don't wear it because they deem it as backward. Therefore, I do wear the hijab in a "Muslim" country where I'm being reproached with wearing it, since, in their mind, that does not correspond to their idea of a "modern" country, neither of a French woman. In addition, corruption, at all levels, is dreadfully generalised in that country and seems to be fairly much tolerated and accepted by all... in a so-called "Muslim" country. I know it is largely due to poverty, but it remains that it is far from the Muslim bevahiour and does not educate people to righteousness...
Surprising as it may seem, I'm therefore contemplating the idea of moving to Britain, since there could be work opportunities there for me (I did my postgraduate studies in Britain indeed) and would, incha'Allah, enable me to practise Islam with more freedom and wear the hijab, incha'Allah, even at work.
Thanks a lot for your comments and advice. It is nice to be able to relate this way to my sisters and brothers. And Allah know best!
Salam Aleykoum, Tahereh

 

[Tru3m0sl3m]

As-salaamu `alaykum.

Maybe places like Canada are better... In a study, it was shown that the Canadians had a better perception on Islaam and Muslims, in comparison to Americans, the English and Austrailians. How accurate that survey was, Allaah knows best.

Was-salaam

And that I totally agree with.....

Walaikumussalam wa rahmatullahi wabarakatuhu

 

[Al-Kashmiri]

As-salaamu `alaykum.

Alhamdulillaah, jazaak Allaah khayr for the response sis. I live in East London. Like I said, I agree with you generally, but the UK still isn't a pretty place for the Muslims. While maa shaa Allaah, we have some freedom to practice Islaam, at the same time the da`wah is dead, and the government are more than pleased to promote donkeys who give Islaam a bad perception (I don't mean the general people, but callers to dalaalah, namely those who as I said, "Al-Muhaajiroon" etc).

I understand and am aware how bad Muslim countries are thesedays, especially with the racist behavior. However, I know that many of the people here in UK, have even worse thoughts about us, not just based on our colour but on deen also, and they hide it too. So I don't see the big difference in that respect, one place is upfront and another is undercover (with their prejudism)...

 

[ditta]

Assalaamu'Alaykum,

Some interesting points.

I would just like to add a small portion.

I feel if you live in an area that is populated with many Muslims then experiencing difficulty is non-existant. But in an area with few Muslims expect to see racism, ridicule, attacks on your home and even physically harmed. In terms of work, in my opinion without any experience, I think that the true feelings that a co-worker would feel for such-and-such will never be expressed [if they take what they hear from the media and form this has their perception of the Muslims] - for fear of the consquences. I guess it would be a tad different if the person in authority possessed such negative feelings.

But there is our opportunity, I am sure the view that a non-Muslim may have on a Muslim could be negative. We need to make sure that we demonstrate excellent manners, behaviour and correct etiquette when around non-Muslims [at work, University, school and even on this Forum]. That is, what will contribute towards changing their perception of the Muslims.

Walaykum Salaam.

 

[Zafran]

salaam

I agree with Ditta and kashmiri - England isnt a great place and has parts which are racist. Racism is the main problem and not realy the about religion (unless you read the newspapers). However as the posters have said there are oppertunities here and it could work out for you.

hope you all the best

peace.

 

[Optimist]

Adding another anecdote from north England. I have always lived in an areas with "white" majority (once just by a church). I have a light beard and my wife covers her head. I have never encounted upfront racism, neither did my wife but then there is a sizeable and very visible muslim minority in my city.

I don't think hijab is a barrier to employment per se (although you may not get far). It depends on where you want to work.

The good news are: there is a huge interest in Islam, also the British are very reserved when it comes to talking about religion but when you break this barrier people have lots of questions. The bad news are that this interest is often generated due to the wrong reasons. You need to be well prepared if you are to go into such discussion - you can very easily say the wrong thing.

Most of the British are atheists and see Islam & traditional Christianity in the same light. There are many "modern" Christians who are geniunly good people. There is of course those who just hates us but I think actual abuse is rare and sporadic.

Compare this with what the prophet (peace be upon him) had to face in Makkah from his OWN people even though he only called them to Islam. We are in a good condition by a long shot. I don't agree that da'wah is dead in Britian.

Over all I'd give Britain 7 on a scale of 1 to 10 of tolerance to Islam & Muslims ... but then I have not lived in another Western country.