I was utterly disgusted and fuming when I read my local MP’s despicable attack on Muslim culture, traditions, Islamic wedding customs, the Shariah, the London Muslim Centre (LMC) and the Islamic Forum of Europe (IFE) – all in a short press statement made to the East London Advertiser.
Jim Fitzpatrick MP may have sealed his fate! For sure he won’t be getting my vote at the next General Election – and I have been a long time Labour voter. And I doubt this irresponsible outburst will win him favours in the Muslim community of Poplar and Canning Town – soon to be Poplar and Limehouse.
Fitzpatrick was annoyed because having been invited to attend a wedding ceremony at the LMC, he discovered that the hosts had arranged segregated seating for men and women. Being unable to sit with his wife, Fitzpatrick left the wedding and complained to the East London Advertiser. The following are quotes from the Daily Mail:
“The minister for food and farming, who was attending a constituent’s wedding at the centre, claimed the segregation of men and women at such events was affecting ’social cohesion’.
He accused the centre in Whitechapel, east London, of imposing tough new segregation rules which Muslims in the community did not want.
‘The segregation of men and women didn’t used to be as much of a strong feature,’ said Mr Fitzpatrick, the MP for Poplar and Canning Town.
‘We’ve been attending Muslim weddings together for years but only recently has this strict line been taken.
‘But it is an indication of the stricter application of rules that is taking place that didn’t exist before.’
He blamed controversial Muslim organisation the Islamic Forum of Europe, which is based in the same building, for the ruling.
He said the group, which promotes Sharia law, had a ’stranglehold influence’ on the centre.
He insisted: ‘It is a disappointment. I think the stranglehold influence of the IFE is present more than ever before.
We are trying to build social cohesion in a community but this is not the way forward.’”
I’m inclined to believe his new job – Minister for Food and Farming – is making him act like a bit of a moo! Certainly his comments are as daft as a lamb. So Jim, I advise you:
1. When you are invited to a private party, and you accept the invitation you should really act like a good guest and embrace the culture, and customs of your hosts. I’ve seen many non-Asian guests go the extra mile and actually wear traditional clothing to Asian weddings and functions! I know that with your busy ministerial duties you don’t get to spend much time with the better half but, come on Jim…this was a wee bit too much, don’t you think?
2. If the hosts have stipulated segregated seating, take it up with them, it’s got nothing to do with the LMC or the IFE. Tell us the truth Jim, you received a call from the bride and grooms family didn’t you? They explained that you would most definitely be able to sit with your wife, and that the person who spoke to you about segregated seating had no right to do so (that person was not even a staff member of the LMC), isn’t that also true Jim? Did you not end the conversation saying you understood the cultural tradition, respected it, were in no way unhappy? Out with it Jim? I have spoken to the family of the groom and this is their account of the event, so why this media storm in a tea cup? whats your real motive Jim?
3. You’re mistaken to suggest that segregated Muslim weddings are a new thing. They are not – so please get real! In fact you attended the wedding of the daughter of one of your local Labour party members, and ex mayor of Tower Hamlets, now own up Jim, that was segregated too wasn’t it? And it really is up to individuals, some insist on segregation and others do not, so let them exercise their choice!
4. Promoting social cohesion is about promoting the right of minorities to retain their culture and customs, it’s not about ensuring that Jim and his wife are sitting together at weddings, it’s about appreciating our differences and celebrating our similarities.
5. You make serious accusations about IFE, I wonder what you actually know about the organisation, its contribution and achievements? I can tell you for nothing that IFE is committed to working for the common good, promoting justice and understanding between communities. Our track record is proven, and our actions speak louder than your politically motivated and Islamophobic words. If you would like to debate IFE’s work, contribution and achievement, that’s a positive thing. Lets do that and let the community decide; what do you say Jim?
I remember when Oona King kicked up a storm with her support for the Iraq war and her challenge to the constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow “If you don’t like it, vote me out”. She was voted out. Perhaps Jim has laid down the same challenge to Poplar and Canning Town/Limehouse?
the fact that the BNP can come out looking socially responsible after Jim [b]‘let’s face it he is DIM, let’s put him in a TIN and paint a beard on hid CHIN’[/b] stupidity says it all really!
http://martynfindley.blogspot.com/2009/08/labour-mp-storms-out-of-muslim-wedding.html
Damn – Galloway needs to worry about the BNP beating him and Jim!!!
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I thing Mr Jim F has accidently revealed his racist vision, maybe his on BNP payroll too, i wouldnt be surprised.
they’re all islamophobes! every non muslim! why else woul they have not embraced islam? they oppose and object to most aspects of this religion and those that follow it…
i’m surprised you guys expected them to be your buddies! read you’re book
My muslim friends …….. if he has attended a previous function where segregation was there , he is indeed a hypocrite …. but to say he must be a member of BNP and ‘ all non muslims are islamophobes is as bad as me saying , all muslims are terrorists !!! it is simply untrue !! i feel that he has done this for dubious reasons and should be questioned as to what his real motives were. Sharia Law has many aspects , in particular the treatment of islamic women , that we westerners do not condone because we were raised to treat women fairly and equal …… however , I am a fan of many aspects of Sharia Law , such as the attitude to criminals ……. peace to all of you
Maybe JF..should also challenge the centuries’ old tradition in WHITE ANGLO-SAXON weddings that friends of the Groom sit on one side of the church and friends of the Bride, the other. (I can never remember which is which).
Also Mr JF, in the great words of Idi Amin, when greeting the late and great Julius Nyrere of Tanzania, said: “if you were a woman, I would kiss you”. (Given that Idi’s eccentric culinary habits had just been revealed to the world, the target of his affection made his excuses and declined the offer).
An arrogant and pretentious show by the Minister.
The Minister’s action is just a stupid, attention-getting stunt appealing to prejudices. This serves only to inflame the prejudices so widespread in current time.
This is yet another classic example of how MP’s are out of touch with their constituents.
One has to question how such an ignoramous got a foot in the door way.
I guess one good thing that comes out of all this is, Boris seems fairly intelligent incomparison to this current buffon.
The host should get an apology from Jim F, for walking out from the wedding reception (civic society gathering).
On this note, I like to mention Great Lady Margaret Thatcher (The Iron Lady) for getting us (The Country) out of socialist left wing politics, which Jim F still trying to practise,
I agree with the IFE’ s view on male and female segregation.
I also believe that we should segragate people in general based on race and religion too. All Europeans have to live and be contained within Europe, all Asians within Asia and all Africans within Africa.
That way everyone gets to have their own space, and without any of the multiculturalism, everyone will be better off!
what is the reason for muslims to be inviting these kaafir politicians that have no reason to be attending our weddings? do we not sometimes bring these things on ourselves?
Tony, you say that ‘All Europeans have to live and be contained within Europe, all Asians within Asia and all Africans within Africa’.
If we follow that through lets also do the following:
-Get the Americans out of Iraq and Afghanistan and every other military base in the world out and back to the US
-Get white Australians to return to the UK and return it to the aboriginal people
-Get Americans back to Ireland, and give America to the real Americans (red indians)
Sometimes people behave as though they own the world or own their country. A bit of history will show you that we are all of immigrant origins. Every country is a nation of immigrants.
He seems to be after the white, working class vote. I can’t imagine any Muslim could possibly vote for him now!
Salaam,
i see a number of points arising from this incident.
Firstly the fake nature of these politicians and the thin veneer of manners that they hide behind. Forget about courtesy to your host but use this in scare mongering tactics. I’m sure in today’s climate, demonising Islam and its rules gets any politician (or anyone else for that matter) brownie points.
Secondly I think there is a more fundamental issue at stake here. Allah reminds us that ‘never will the Yahud or Nasara be happy with you until you follow their milla (way of life)’. This incident demonstrates this very well. Who would have ever thought that IFE would be labelled extremist! No matter how much you bend over backwards it is never enough. Integration now means assimilation. It is always about you’re not moderate enough. And we know what Contest 2’s definition of a moderate is!
Thirdly given the above, should we just not be happy to be Muslim. No other labels please. Let’s all just stand united on that.
@Tony haha ‘Tony’ your comment is priceless, how ignorant you must be, but don’t worry, God willing, your eyes will be opened and your ears will listen, maybe when its too late, who knows. As for JF his stunt, didn’t do very well for him did it, its common courtesy for one to respect and embrace other cultures, things I should imagine he preaches also? IFE keep up the good work. Assalamu’alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh to my fellow muslim brothers and sisters, strive to please our Rubb and in times of hardship remain patient and you will be succesful.
Hi Nabeel,
Yes I totally agree with what you are suggesting 100%. All of the things you suggested should be carried out and the countries returned to the rightful original peoples.
Umm Yusuf, whats wrong with my suggestion? Why is it ignorant? I believe the europeans have meddled in the affairs of too many other countries, continents and other civilizations. Europeans should pull out of these situations that they have created, apologise and pay back reparations to the people that have suffered at their hands and become a closed civilization in terms of their own ethnic population, culture and religion.
For your reference, and before you continue to call me ignorant, I’d like to point out that the japanese did exactly that for 700 years in response to an initial decision to open their society to the rest of the world. My suggestion might be unrealistic, but I still have the right to voice it.
I am actually a resident of Limehouse; i wrote the coward MP but he would not respond, he says states that he will apologise to Bride and Groom, but he has soome sorts of problems with IFE, i would like to know what why, but he refuses to answer me. Here! now i send my kids to Saturday Islamic School; i belive its joint project of IFE and East London Mosque; but is wonderful project and my kids benefit immensely. Would the JF pls be more specific what his issues with IFE is, maybe i shoudl be more careful about sending my kids to SIS. I gues he wont respond, well! he will not get the 25 or so votes my family and friends normally cast for him…his shown his true racist colur.
ive been a volunteer for the mosque for over 10 years now, never seen any extreame materials or hatred that channel 4 are trying to show. we know election is coming so they have to stare things up in the local community for national publicity!