Wajahat Ali Khan
The settlement of Pakistanis in Britain started only a few years after the creation of Pakistan and for the last six decades or so
the UK is home to the largest Pakistani community in Europe, with the population of British Pakistanis exceeding 1.6 million based on the 2021 Census. British Pakistanis are the second-largest ethnic minority population in the United Kingdom and make up the second-largest sub-group of British Asians.
Today, in the UK, there are a good number of members of Parliament and Lords of Pakistani origin in the House of Commons, there are also many councillors, mayors and deputy mayors across the country, the mayor of London Sadiq Khan is also of Pakistani origin. Countless people who came to Britain with empty pockets from Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, are multi-millionaires today, British society is accepting them with an open heart and mind. Therefore, this situation should be a source of satisfaction for the Pakistanis living in Britain, but if we continue to be divided into groups/cult and do not emerge in the local society, people and customs, then we should be recognized as a separate group.
Most of the European countries and the United Kingdom have the reputation of being a multicultural society and millions of Muslims from different countries of the world are also living here, but the saddest thing is that whenever there is a terrorist incident here. So, after the investigation, a lot of his responsibility comes out in the name of Muslims. Of course, there is weight in the idea that there is also a reaction to the action, that if there are abuses against Muslims in the world, then somewhere in one way or another, the desire for revenge will continue to flourish, but a simple question is only that, when we are living permanently in western societies, then we should somehow obey the laws made here and make the moral and cultural values established here a part of our daily lives. Our hostile attitudes and meaningless demands on small things abandoning extremist thinking can be more fruitful for us.
Be it Europe or other western countries of the world, wrong or right here we are already blamed for us as a community inclined towards extremism & terrorism, also it is surprising that whenever in Britain or any other part of the world, Muslims clash with those of other faiths. Whenever an incident or a war situation arises, we immediately begin to touch the limits of hatred through our private conversations and media statements. Since the Palestine/Israel war broke out eight months ago, many Muslims living in the UK have started calling for the Lords, MPs, Mayors and councillors of our community to resign!
Now, can any intelligent person say that this saying and thinking is not a hard-line thinking? Doesn’t anyone understand the simple and trivial saying that “it is not possible to fight an opponent off the field” it also means that if you are not stronger than the other and win against him on the field. If you can’t, then there is a fixed rule in the civilized world to convince your opponent with logical arguments that your point of view is correct, so by resigning, neither a war nor a debate can be won.
In the past, the attack of the American alliance on Iraq or the recent Palestine / Israel conflict, like the world over, In Britain, there were historic million marches for ceasefire, especially in London, can anyone say that only Muslims or only Pakistanis / Kashmiris were among these million people? Rather surprisingly, 85% of the protesters had belonged to non-Islamic religions, and even a large number of Jews were also involved in these marches. It should always be kept in mind that we should not live in the world as an isolated community but as a part of the international community, Muslims should not forget their identity but be emotional and separate themselves from others. Don’t understand. As far as the problem of Palestine is concerned, isn’t it a fact that 142 countries out of 193 countries around the world have recognized Palestine as a state and how many countries are non-Muslims and how many are Muslims? Two weeks ago, three more European countries like Spain, Ireland and Norway, announced the recognition of Palestine as a state, so the big question is whether the countries that recognised Palestine did not oppose Israel and support Palestine?
Be it other western countries or Britain, we overseas Pakistanis must always keep in mind the fact that we have to mix in local politics and local society, economy and try to reach the forums with maximum discretionary power. You must make your place in the mainstream Labour Party, Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats party of Britain, so that others have no choice but to value your voice and what you say logically and positively, otherwise everyone can understand that No “war” can be won by going out of the field and making nonsense, rather disgrace is destined!!
So, stay away from extremist thinking or hostile attitudes but fight for your legitimate rights.
