Call to Councillors

Proposed Muslim, Middle Eastern and Arabic Speaking Cross-Party Councillors Forum

By Cllr Sam Jalili

Our communities are facing increasing challenges.  We have seen the rise of extremism, especially among the youth, with a minority of them resorting to irrational acts and our communities continue many obsolete practices including honour crimes and revenge.  Their reluctance to be part of the system is leading to their marginalisation from main stream politics and general apathy, or even antagonism, as far as secular British political parties are concerned.  

With this increase in extremism, the attention of the Government and media focuses on groups that do not necessarily represent the views nor the feelings of the silent majority. This is creating disharmony and division in Britain , not only between migrant communities and the indigenous one, but now increasingly we are seeing increasing interethnic strain and division.

We councillors are in the front line as democratically elected representatives of both of our ethnic and indigenous communities.  As such we have an important role to play and obligation to address these problems collectively and lead the debate in Britain on what should be done to tackle the dangerous trends we are witnessing.  At the same time we must extend the hand of support to the community and act as spokespeople for the silent majority

The best way of solving this vacuum is to work together initially as a ‘Cross-Party’ group of councillors representing those communities originating from troubled countries. I would, therefore, like to extend an invitation to councillors to join in a Cross-Party Forum, to include councillors from Muslims countries, Middle-Eastern countries and Arabic speaking countries, including those born in Britain .

I would welcome your response to my suggestion and your views and would be grateful if you would also let me know:

(1)  If you wish to be part of such a Forum?

(2)  Suggestions on the problems and issues you believe we need to address,

(3)  Suggestion on the most suitable venue (town and place) to have a preliminary meeting;

(4)   A range of available dates to set the most convenient time to suit the majority.

Many thanks