Following last week's horrific but predictable terror attacks in Europe, there is debate, once again, as to how a tiny minority of European Muslims are manipulated by the siren voices of the advocates of terror.
A variety of explanations have been put forward. Racism, economic disadvantages, alienation from society – all have been suggested. The fact remains, however, that the vast majority of Europe's Muslim communities have fervently condemned each and every one of these gruesome attacks.
It is clear, nonetheless, that, for a variety of reasons, the rejection by Islam of extremism – and, by extension, terrorism – is neither understood nor accepted by those who perpetrate these acts. It is neither racist nor evidence of Islamophobia to suggest that, in the long term, a real solution to the problem must lie within the Muslim communities themselves.
Last week, an initiative was announced in Britain that suggests that leading British Muslims are coming together to tackle the problem.
A report in The Times noted that "Britain's most senior Muslim clerics are planning to set up their first national council to issue religious rulings that promote a progressive interpretation of Islam."
The council, the report says, would be the first central religious authority for British Muslims, “delivering edicts on Islamic doctrine and providing a national voice on social issues,” condemning what are described as "regressive cultural practices", such as forced marriages and "honour" killings.
More from Peter Hellyer
Why the UAE needs to invest in environmental research
Our country works quietly to build a better life for people
Religious tolerance is part of the fabric of the UAE
One of the figures behind the proposed council, Qari Azim, chief imam of the Makkah Mosque in Leeds, has noted: “There’s a lack of an authoritative public voice to speak out on issues such as terrorism and Islamophobia” and that the new body “must take a progressive stance that is in line with Islamic principles and embedded in a British context.”
In an editorial, The Times also noted that, in his recent book, Letters to a Young Muslim, the UAE Ambassador to Moscow, Omar Ghobash, had referred to "a crisis of authority" in Muslim communities, "in which moderates have a responsibility to make sure 'wholesome Islam' prevails over 'a theology of death, destruction and decay'".
Both Mr Azim and Mr Ghobash, the paper said, "understand that it is only from within Islam that this decay can be reversed," concluding that "the long war against Islamist extremism will ultimately be won by modern, moderate Muslims."
Numerous studies have noted that many of Britain's 1,200 mosques are led by people with a limited knowledge of British society and who, therefore, offer teachings greatly at variance with the ways of that society. It is not surprising that conflicts arise. It is, in part, upon those affected by such conflicts that the propagators of extremist views prey.
There are too – and it is naïve to overlook them – differences between the interpretations of how to practice Islam, these often arising out of cultural rather than religious practices. Some argue, for example, that it is mandatory, for religious reasons, for women to wear the hijab. Other, equally devout, Muslims disagree. Is it permissible for a Muslim to extend Christmas greetings to a Christian, or to accept Eid greetings in return? Is there or should there be a freedom to debate or hold alternative views? This and much else related, in general terms, to issues of Islamic jurisprudence, are among topics that the new council might seek to address.
It may take some time for this initiative to gain support, not least because the groups that control many of Britain’s mosques may be unwilling to cede any of the power that they currently enjoy to a broader national body. A root-and-branch reform of religious authority within Britain’s Muslim community will take longer still.
If, however, as the proverb goes, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” then the formation of this new council is certainly a single step worth taking, if the scourge of extremism is to be tackled and defeated.
India squad
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, K.L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur.
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Episode list:
Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery
Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges
Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic
Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks
Ep5: Travel and tourism
COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Envision%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarthik%20Mahadevan%20and%20Karthik%20Kannan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20Netherlands%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Technology%2FAssistive%20Technology%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204impact%2C%20ABN%20Amro%2C%20Impact%20Ventures%20and%20group%20of%20angels%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
MORE ON INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
THE APPRENTICE
Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
