Unfair to demonise all Somalis as crazed fanatics

Thursday July 7, a fear of backlash against British Muslims started when London’s transport network system was paralysed by a serious of explosions that claimed more than 50 lives and wounded over 700 people. Somalis like the rest of Muslims in Britain were quick to condemn the atrocities and encouraged the government not to foster a climate of suspicion towards Muslim communities. Thursday 21 July, the second set of attacks changed everything for the Somali community in Britain when one of the bombers believed to be behind the failed London attacks - Yassin Hassan Omar – reported to be of Somali origin. The nightmare scenario so feared by this community is now beginning to look like a shocking reality.

These unfortunate turn of events set the biggest test for community relations. Many politicians and police are anxious not to antagonise the law-abiding Somali community during this testing time. However, rationality usually becomes poor when the tension is high and the efforts of the authorities cannot completely stop some people to point the finger at this emerging community.

Communities of all faiths in the country unequivocally condemned the attacks in London. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams said “We in the faith communities will have to continue to stand and work together for the well being of our nation and for our shared understanding of the life that God calls us to. I hope that we shall all keep that vision alive at this deeply sad and testing time”. Ramesh Kallidai, Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain, shared this concern that “One of the most shameful fallouts of terrorism is that it aims to divide communities by creating fear and suspicion”. However, it seems that some people are unwittingly following the agenda of the terrorist who want to create divisions among the communities which make up our nation. It is unwise to blame an entire community for the actions of one or a few suspects as it is impossible for any community to stop a few disgruntled members who are determined to commit acts of terrorism. Therefore, it is grossly unfair to demonise all Somalis as crazed fanatics.

Others are blaming Britain's refugee policies for allowing Islamic militantism to spread and making the impression that refugees from Somalia are potential terrorists. It is profound regret that men who came to this country as refugee children are prepared to carry out attacks against the British society. However, it is important to note that whoever made the London bombers extremist must have met them in this country. Omar, 24, who was 11 years old when he arrived in Britain, is a clear example. Any extremism doctrine that those who planned and carried out the series of explosions in London received was administered on the streets of Britain. The sad fact is that as Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair puts it “British born and bred terrorists”.

Conversely, there is a confusion between Somalia and Somalis. Of course, Somalia is a failed state but that should not mean that all Somalis are terrorists. Whether Somalia is or is not a breeding ground for terrorism is a matter of debate. For example, a report published by International Crisis Group in July 2005 says that “A March 2005 UN report portrayed Somalia as home to an ‘army’ of Jihadi fighters supported by a network of at least seventeen terrorist training camps. In reality, jihadism is an unpopular, minority trend among Somali Islamists.” Somalia is an easy place for criminals to infiltrate and carry out operations in the region since it does not have a functioning government but to consider Somalia as a country that can export terrorism to the West indicates that we are failing to see that we are having home-grown terrorists regardless of their backgrounds. The ICG report went on to say that “Several Western countries host larger and more sophisticated jihadi networks”.

The alleged London bombings suspect raised the profile of Somalis in the UK in the worst way possible but it is common sense not to judge this community for the actions of a few individuals who have extremist affiliations. Somalis do appreciate and acknowledge the support that they receive from the wider community especially how they are enabled to keep in touch with their culture. In return, Somalis try to contribute to this country as much as they can. Somalis are filling into the socio-economic area vacated by Asians who are progressing up the economic ladder and gaining wealth and power. You will see Somalis working in factories, driving buses or minicabs, learning English, running small businesses, supporting Arsenal, Manchester United and of course Chelsea.

Britain is proud of its value of openness and tolerance and the good relationships it has fostered between all communities. Therefore, it must remain unacceptable any misdirected actions towards the Somali community or the Muslim community in general. And any one who tries to abuse this openness and tolerance must be stopped.