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Monday 25 January to Sunday 31 January 2010

Editorial

We open the discourse of this blog with an issue which has perhaps dogged humanity from our very existence, and one which has perhaps posed the most questions for us in the last decade than ever before: what are the values which are universal to all of us? Are those values common to everyone or confined to a particular community or country?

Universal values are those which are common to all – values which transcend all race, religion, colour and creed. In the last ten years much has been made of the very things which divide us, whether it concerns our religious beliefs and practices, or even the actual principles which strike at the fabric our society: the freedoms which we hold to. For, as the Holy Qur’an reminds humanity, “… God loves those who are fair and just” (49:9).

It is a term which denotes the principles that apply to all humanity. The Qur’an highlights our relation to one another – pointedly in our humanity: “It is He Who created you from a single being” (7:189). As humans, we are all essentially a form of holy product, emerged from a single being and unified in origin. And it is this which we must remember when dealing with one another.

What is clear is that what binds and unites us as people outweighs that which divides us. For, as human beings, our aspirations are the same: to make a living for ourselves and our families, to do well and to enrich and better our society. As we enter a new decade, it is an issue which perhaps poses profound challenges: are we to hold on to those values? Are they outdated? Do we have more that divides us than that which unites us? Do we need to re-think our values and principles? What are the values that matter to us most in the UK?  Should we care to assist one another and society, or is our sole responsibility to simply protect our personal well-being? With growing diversity, is there a clash of civilisations in our country?

These are the very questions which will riddle this new decade and these are the questions we will seek to explore over these first two weeks of The Platform. In week one, we will focus on Britain and week two will see the exploration of the wider World. And, as is the very purpose of this blog, we want to hear from you! What do you think? Time for a revolution in values or the need to anchor that which has stood the test of time? And how?

Have your say.

The Platform Editorial Team