Thank you for the clarification. I’m sure you will understand, and probably won’t be surprised, that I continue to be concerned. It is difficult to take Muslim claims of reasonableness at their face value when there are leading Muslim figures who say, for example, stoning to death for adultery is acceptable if people vote for it!

The problem is, as I see it, many Muslims can’t bring themselves to say something in the Koran or Hadith is now wrong, and they end up spouting all kinds of nonsense. And, if one thing is accepted as wrong, where does that lead!

Concerning the search for knowledge, you should read this report of a speech at the Islamic Unity Society given by Mehdi Hasan*, the New Statesman, senior political editor.
http://archbishop-cranmer.blogspot.com/2009/09/but-things-which-come-out-of-mouth-come.html

(* I‘ve just noticed the name; a relation by any chance?)

When I use the phrase “the Islamic way forward” I am not saying that it’s only Muslims that know how to do the right thing. What I am trying to emphasise is the religious value in seeking knowledge. Yes, of course this applies to all communities and Muslims often don’t get it right, but it is PART of our religion to seek knowledge. And I think that’s worth pointing out.

To your second point, when I say assimilated, I mean that I am part of British society not functioning outside of it. I am not Other. This goes for both trivial and non trivial matters. But this does not have to mean that I have abandoned Islam or reject Islamic views.

As to the words ‘bigot’ and ‘phobia’- everyone is entitled to express their views on Islam without being persecuted. Again, religious tolerance is part of Islamic teachings.

I hope that’s clarified some of your concerns.

The suggested change makes sense precisely because the author is addressing the Muslim community.

What she actually said sounds like extolling Muslims to do something special to them, more of “… you know, only us Muslims know what is right”. She even uses the phrase “the Islamic way forward”.

She begins her article by expressing her youthful dislike for assimilation referring only to trivial matters, then in later life, she suddenly decides she is assimilated, which according to your dictionary means she “has been absorbed by the prevailing culture”.

What I would like to know is, is she still thinking of only trivial things or matters such as the punishment for adultery, the place of religion in public and private life, and even style of dress? And, is she willing to speak out loud and clear.

I don’t think it is unreasonable to ask these questions.

I fully agree it is important to use the dictionary meaning of words. Take for example “bigot” which now means anyone who doesn’t agree with you, or “phobia”, as in Islamophobia, for anyone who makes a criticism of Islam.

Assimilate in this context is obviously referring a cultural minority absorbing into the prevailing culture. Look it up in a dictionary!

Also, why do you find the last statement “very irritating and confirmation of our worst suspicions” — isn’t this a forum aimed at the Muslims community? All the writer is doing is addressing them directly.

I feel your nitpicking hides larger issues!

“Whether it’s your parents trying to define you or the wider society, the Islamic way forward – just like it is FOR everyone else – is to take responsibility for yourself, seek out knowledge and work on who you are and what you have to say.”

What do you really mean by “assimilate”? I suspect it’s just another one of those all-encompassing words now used when the speaker wants to avoid real questions.

I wonder what Mahmud Nasir thinks of the political aims of groups like the Islamic Forum of Europe (IFE) (that is, if he knows they exist!) and where he stands on the views of Tariq Ramadan, especially his call for a moratorium on punishments like the cutting off of hands for theft and stoning for adultery which has been ignored.

One other point; non-Muslims like myself find statements like:

“Whether it’s your parents trying to define you or the wider society, the Islamic way forward is to take responsibility for yourself, seek out knowledge and work on who you are and what you have to say.”

… very irritating and confirmation of our worst suspicions.

It should read

“Whether it’s your parents trying to define you or the wider society, the Islamic way forward – just like it is everyone else – is to take responsibility for yourself, seek out knowledge and work on who you are and what you have to say.”

Good luck.