Sky High

Win Sky+HD for a year and a trip to Barcelona

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Times
March 1, 2008

British Muslims: ‘It depends if war is seen as a good cause’

David Lister

News of Prince Harry’s deployment provoked a mixed reaction among Britain’s 1.6 million Muslims.

Some expressed concerns about the true motives behind the fight against the Taleban; others described Prince Harry’s presence in Helmand as propaganda and berated the media for going along with a news blackout.

A tiny minority — one or two — approached by The Times shook their heads in disapproval and refused to comment. Others voiced concern for the Prince’s safety but said it was a “good thing” that he had taken a decision to serve.

Standing in driving rain outside the King Fahd Mosque in Edinburgh, Irfan Khan, 24, a student from Pakistan, said: “Certainly some Muslims will be annoyed by the news. The Taleban are also Muslims so that does pose a problem for us.” Ahmed Farossi, 39, a chef in the city heading for Friday prayers, said: “It depends whether you think the war is a good cause and I’m not convinced about that.”

Related Links

Saeed, 31, a geophysicist from Iran, said: “I don’t have a problem with it but I think it’s a propaganda trick to make people in Britain feel better about the war. It’s not particularly clear to me why Britain is there but I don’t approve of the Taleban either.”

Outside Regent’s Park Mosque in London, Abdul Moasin, 18, said: “I don’t mind at all. I think the Taleban should be stopped but they shouldn’t portray all Muslims as being like the Taleban.”

The radical cleric Omar Bakri Mohammad, who is banned from Britain, speaking in Lebanon, said Prince Harry’s role could provoke new terror attacks on Britain. He said the Prince’s presence in Afghanistan was a “crime” and would be used as a recruiting tool for al-Qaeda.

As a British Muslim, I am proud of Harry going to fight in Afghanistan. However, I worry about this type of journlism. The war is against terrorism and not Islam. Also, some of those interviewed were not British and therefore cannot relate to this issue.

Hamad Lone, London, England

To David Russell, Sheffield, what do you mean "aliens"? Many of them are born in the UK just like you presumable were. They are British. An increasing number of British people are also converting to Islam. Does conversion make them aliens or are they allowed to keep their nationality? But asking "Muslims" what they think is as sensible as asking "Christians" what they think. As the story shows, people have different opinions.

Frank, Liverpool,

Phil, Wakefield, Yorkshire

If Muslims in Britain must fight Britains wars (country comes first)
Why are the British fighting America's wars ? (country comes second)

Neither Iraq or Afghanistan were ever a threat to UK.

Iran are NOT allowed to provide weapons to Iraq or Palestine..BUT nobody should question U.S and U.K supplying weapons to Israel ?

Mohammed, London, UK

As a British Muslim, I applaud Harry for his actions and am proud of what he has done. The views of the student from Pakistan are those of a minority.

Hamad Lone, London, England

And what percentage is 1.6m of the UK population? What abou t asking the rest of us?

Chris, london,

Who really cares about the opinion of these aliens?

David Russell, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Irfan Khan, 24, a student from Pakistan, said: “Certainly some Muslims will be annoyed by the news.

WHY

BRITISH soldiers are fighting the Taleban. British citizens should not be using a religion as an excuse to protest or disapprove.

What would have happened if British Christians has refused to fight in the Second World War because they would be killing German Christians.

Its about time all who live in this country understand that country comes before religion.

Phil, Wakefield, Yorkshire

Have your say

* Required

Also in UK News

Also in News

Comment    

Simon Jenkins

open quote mark These are uncertain times, but in every disaster there is good news to be found close quote mark

More...
Simon Jenkins

Pictures of the Week

Folk dancers perform during the annual Dasara procession held at the Mysore Palace during the ’Vijaya Dashami’ celebrations in Mysore

A selection of the best images from around the world

Slide Show

Endangered species

Iberian Lynx

The Red list reveals that a quarter of world's mammals are now at risk of extinction

Slide Show

Comment Central

Brokers react at the stock market in Frankfurt, Germany

Baffled by the banks?

Top ten blogs to help you make sense of the crisis

    Money Central

    Piggy bank

    The six safest places to store your savings

      School Gate

      10 year old girls do their homework

      Why too much homework doesn't work

      Most Read

      Skip Most Read

      Today

      MOST COMMENTED

      Skip Editor's Pick

      Today

      MOST CURIOUS

      Skip Most Curious

      Today

      Focus Zone

      Purasia

      Asian Cuisine:

      Explore your passion for food with the delights of Thai, Indian & Chinese cooking

      A life more streamlined

      A Life More Streamlined:

      In our new series, Tony Hawks takes a dry, wry look at modern life - junk mail, interminable meetings and snooty sales assistants

      swimmer

      Triathlon Training:

      Read the training tips and advice that helped our London Triathletes

      Daniel Craig

      James Bond:

      Read our exclusive 100 Years of Fleming and Bond interactive timeline, packed with original Times articles and reviews

      ba business travel clouds

      Business Travel:

      The latest travel news plus the best hotels and gadgets for business travellers

      previous next
      Peter Sands...CEO...Standard Chartered.

      Andrew Davidson meets Peter Sands

      Services

      Croatia

      Croatia 8 days from £659

      Dubrovnik, the Dalmatian Coast and Montenegro

      Credit Crunched?

      Our Credit Clinic has free help and advice

      The Singapore skyline pictured at night

      Business City Guides

      Overseas contacts and local business information

      Popular Searches on Times Online

      best councils | books | chess | credit crunch | currency converter | fashion | football | formula 1 | london film festival | mortgages | pensions | podcasts | property | recipes | redundancy calculator | sudoku | wall street | wine

      Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles

      Classifieds 

      Cars

      Skip Cars of the Week

      BMW BMW 4.0 M3

      2008
      £39,937

      Car insurance

      Great car insurance deals online


      Jobs

      Skip Jobs of the Week
      CHIEF EXECUTIVE

      c.£75,000
      GlosFirstmeansbusiness
      Gloucestershire

      Collaboration Support Managers

      £32,795 - £41,545
      Universitry of Southampton
      Southampton

      Bid Managers

      £ £32,795 - £41,545
      Universitry of Southampton
      Southampton

      Demand Forecasting Managers

      Competitive Package
      Npower
      West Midlands

      Properties

      Wandsworth Town

      1 & 2 Bed apartments
      From £249,995

      The First Group

      Great Dubai Investment Opportunities
      from £89,950

      One Housing Group

      low-cost ownership homes in London

      Holidays

      Skip Travel of the Week

      Funway Holidays Int Inc

      Las Vegas SALE!
      £POA

      Discover Captain Cook’s Hawaiian Islands

      With Ramblers Worldwide Holidays!
      £POA

      Advertise your holiday property online

      List your property with two leading travel websites
      £POA

      Travel insurance

      Great travel insurance deals online


      Place your advert now