The Prime Minister has stressed the "duty and need" of immigrants to integrate into society.
Tony Blair used a Downing Street lecture to set out a series of measures designed to help create a society of "tolerance, solidarity and equality".
"Multicultural Britain was never supposed to be a celebration of division but of diversity, to allow people to live harmoniously despite their differences," he said.
"We need to reassert the duty and need to integrate."
Mr Blair set out a series of measures to help ease tensions between races and religions.
He reiterated his support for an English language test to ensure those wishing to settle in the UK can communicate.
And he said faith schools would be twinned with schools of other faiths to promote understanding.
Mr Blair stressed the need for citizens to accept equality and respect for all, citing forced marriage and religious prejudice against women as unacceptable.
He said everyone must obey criminal not religious law while visiting preachers from overseas will be excluded if they preach hatred.
Religious and racial groups seeking grants will also be asked to show how they promote integration.
In the address, Mr Blair insisted he did not want to dilute religious identity or abandon multiculturalism, which should continue to be celebrated.
But he said "the right balance can be struck between integration and diversity".
A national row over multiculturalism was been sparked by the suspension earlier this year of a Muslim teaching assistant who refused to remove her veil in the classroom.
Mr Blair backed that decision - saying the veil was a "mark of separation" that made people of other ethnic backgrounds feel uncomfortable.
It was also a visible symbol of the wider debate about the way the 1.8 million-strong Muslim community integrates into British society, he suggested.
The event at Number 10 is being hosted by the Runnymede Trust, an educational charity whose aim is to promote a successful multi-ethnic Britain.
It's about respect. Exactly as the Sikhs and Hindus do. They're friendly, they respect other culture, religion, way of life. They don't ask for special treatment and they don't get involved in plots on bombing their OWN home, their own country as the "minority" of muslims have done and still continue to do. Blair has also said that in order come here you will HAVE to learn to speak English in order to communicate with British citizens.
Why did you place the word 'minority' in speech marks?
I'm also curious as to what you meant by 'special treatment'.
I agree wholeheartedly that people should respect others, abide by the law and learn English if they move here from another country. That goes without saying.
in plots on bombing their OWN home, their own country as the "minority" of muslims have done and still continue to do. Blair has also said that in order come here you will HAVE to learn to speak English in order to communicate with British citizens.
I agree with you on this, but what about on forign soil such as iraq,chechnya,palistine, whats your views on a british muslim going to such places to help their follow muslims according to the sharia.
I agree with you on this, but what about on forign soil such as iraq,chechnya,palistine, whats your views on a british muslim going to such places to help their follow muslims according to the sharia.
I'm against it. Simple as that. I'm against the war, the population is against the war and alot of the soldiers out there are against it as they see no point. They're just being forced to do their job in which they have no option.
Why did you place the word 'minority' in speech marks?
I'm also curious as to what you meant by 'special treatment'.
I agree wholeheartedly that people should respect others, abide by the law and learn English if they move here from another country. That goes without saying.
They were in quote marks to make sure that the word stood out. You're a bit sensitive.
They're just being forced to do their job in which they have no option.
In my books they're guilty and according to islamic Teaching they're valid targets, They have a choice they could of just sat at home and just watched Paul O'Grady with a cup of tea instead of invading muslim land.
Such as "a separate classroom" for muslims to pray in whilst at school. The wearing of the veil during classroom lessons. Again, perhaps a minority wanting flags taken down in certain areas of the country such as Blackburn as it "causes offence," same with the Christian symbols on christmas cards, posters etc which again "causes offence." Then there is the over-reactions if a person is found to criticise anything to do with Islam.
I know you won't like this, but I'm speaking my mind.
Are we strolling off topic here?
In my books they're guilty and according to islamic Teaching they're valid targets, They have a choice they could of just sat at home and just watched Paul O'Grady with a cup of tea instead of invading muslim land.
They don't have that option. Refusing to go to war whether you agree with it or not is a serious offence.
Such as "a separate classroom" for muslims to pray in whilst at school.
Which in practice is just an empty room at lunchtimes. It shouldn't be problematic.
The wearing of the veil during classroom lessons.
Understandable. Personally, I don't see it any different from letting people dress as they like.
However, that's about all I have to say about the veil here without taking the whole thread off-topic.
Again, perhaps a minority wanting flags taken down in certain areas of the country such as Blackburn as it "causes offence," same with the Christian symbols on christmas cards, posters etc which again "causes offence."
You're certainly right that such people are a minority.
Then there is the over-reactions if a person is found to criticise anything to do with Islam.
True, but it usually comes from a minority. Doesn't make it right, just need to put it into perspective.
I know you won't like this, but I'm speaking my mind.
So in a democratic, free, country, people are forced to go to fight for the country and risk their lifes even if they dont agree with it, they just 'have to do their job'.
Hmm.
Do you recall a case in which a sikh boy, quiet old, wanted to carry a little dagger thing to school around his neck as part of his religion?
I think the veil nor an empty class room can compare to that.
The path is long but I hope we meet,
After the grave and the Day, in paradise in bliss upon a reclined seat.
A traveler traveling - travelled from shirk to tawheed,
If I'm remembered for anything - let it be the Mercy I seek.
It's about Jihad bro, he's masking what he means, he's blatently on about people who have Qitaal on their minds, they're worried it might spread.
Wa Aleykum salam,
No. this is talking about people intergrating. Furthermore if a person feels he need to do jihad or what ever then why would he live in the Uk and stay there, since that would mean he would be supporting his "enemy"?
The path is long but I hope we meet,
After the grave and the Day, in paradise in bliss upon a reclined seat.
A traveler traveling - travelled from shirk to tawheed,
If I'm remembered for anything - let it be the Mercy I seek.
No. this is talking about people intergrating. Furthermore if a person feels he need to do jihad or what ever then why would he live in the Uk and stay there, since that would mean he would be supporting his "enemy"?
Yes but u need to see the bigger picture, and ask your self why are so many muslim groups banned in the uk and their leaders either deported or in jail, islam and so-called western ideals arn't compatable with the current state of world affairs, the veil represents modesty and instantly regonisable with islam so with Jihad that's why such people like abu Hamza are in prison, these two things can't be integrated into british society, so that's why they're trying to get rid of them, ask your self has any other issue apart from Jihad and the veil caused any controversy in the media.
Yes but u need to see the bigger picture, and ask your self why are so many muslim groups banned in the uk and their leaders either deported or in jail, islam and so-called western ideals arn't compatable with the current state of world affairs, the veil represents modesty and instantly regonisable with islam so with Jihad that's why such people like abu Hamza are in prison, these two things can't be integrated into british society, so that's why they're trying to get rid of them, ask your self has any other issue apart from Jihad and the veil caused any controversy in the media.
Wa Aleykum Salam Wa Rhametulah,
You see I was going to ask what 'leaders' you spoke of but I see you mean Br. Abu Hamza, from what I have seen, I disagree with his views and I don't think his view represent the truth of Islam, so him being in prison is not for me a show that Islam is being hunted down. What I see as a show of that is people arrested with no evidence, now thats a different story. As for the veil, this particular news was not about the veil but rather intergration, speaking the language, and so forth, I think there can be intergration and a veil without a problem. I do understan what you mean, but I don't think in this particular case theres anything to stand on.
If someone is at war with a country they would not live in that country.
The path is long but I hope we meet,
After the grave and the Day, in paradise in bliss upon a reclined seat.
A traveler traveling - travelled from shirk to tawheed,
If I'm remembered for anything - let it be the Mercy I seek.
No. this is talking about people intergrating. Furthermore if a person feels he need to do jihad or what ever then why would he live in the Uk and stay there, since that would mean he would be supporting his "enemy"?
No offense, he has a point there. If muslim women wants to practise their religion like that, in that manner, then they should migrate back to their parent's homeland or to a muslim country. It is an Christian country. This is the part that annoys me the most; why are you muslims trying to be so practising your religion in a Christian land, but not in a Islamic land? Like that veil issue, covering everything up.
p.s Glad to be a Canadian Muslim
The Possibilities in Islam are limitless.
The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want. -Ben Stein
They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. -Andy Warhol
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