The role of non-Muslims
There remains an important role for non-Muslims to make a
positive change for Britain’s Muslim communities,
through working alongside the Muslim community. An example
of how this could work would be for those who have taken on
the challenge to reduce ‘extremism’ to take on
the role of “harmonisers”. Recognising that we
have a responsibility to demonstrate the true picture of
Islamophobia to other people who are outside Islam, and
challenging those who appear to be
“Polarisers”.
What the world needs is Harmonisers, not Polarisers. We
have to seek out Polarisers, and see how we convert them to
become Harmonisers.
The role of Muslims
However, just as important is encourage this type of
activity in the Muslim community. CBMI will work to build
the capacity of the Muslim community to engage in such
approaches and to encourage the development of a truly
representative leadership from the community and
sustainable infrastructure to carry forward the necessary
reforms to achieve cohesion and equality.
The role of the anti-racist movement
CBMI is concerned that anti-racist movements do not limit
themselves entirely to expressing their struggles in the
language of race and racism, but acknowledge and confront
the dramatic rise in Islamophobia, especially since 11
September 2001, the war in Iraq and the US “war on
terror”. CBMI believes that Islamophobia is the new
sharp end of racism.