ties that bind - sep 11

6 | policyexchange.org.uk
Executive Summary
Muslims have a long and distinguished record of service in the British armed forces.
But, in recent years, this history has been lost amidst the competing narratives of the
far right and hardline Islamists. These two blocs are united in their assertion that a
good Muslim cannot be a loyal Briton.This runs in the face of a collective past.
During the two World Wars:
? Indian Muslim leaders successfully defined the conflicts as political in nature,
not religious.
? Indian Muslim leaders successfully counteracted the propaganda of Germany,
the Ottoman Empire and pan-Islamists, which sought to portray fighting for
Britain as a betrayal of Islam.
? Even after the entry of the Ottoman Empire into the First World War on the
side of Germany, the vast majority of Muslims serving in the British armed
forces remained loyal to the Allies’ cause.
? The British military and politicians sought to provide for the spiritual and
cultural needs of Muslim servicemen.
? The British military and politicians went to great lengths to prove that the
Empire was in no way involved in a religious conflict with Islam.
However, this proud record is in danger of becoming a forgotten footnote of British
history. It needs to be revived in a contemporary context if we are to escape the binary
and exclusivist messages that can isolate British Muslims from our armed forces.
? The Government must continue to work hard to counter the divisive messages
of Islamists and the far right – which assert that the possession of Islamic
beliefs is a barrier to pursuing a career in the armed forces.
? The notion that Britain is at war with Islam needs to be confronted.The Government
should offer a counter-argument that refers to those occasions in which the British
military has acted in defence of Muslims – and Muslims in defence of Britain.
? The MoD should vigorously promote the lifelong skills and qualifications that
an armed forces career can offer.
? The armed forces must continue to meet the spiritual needs of its servicemen
and women. But there should be less consultation with self-appointed
community groups from outside the military structure over the appointment
of faith-specific chaplains. Anyone involved in the religious affairs of the
armed forces must have sufficient experience of life in the military.
? The MoD should update its recruitment techniques. It should engage Muslims
directly and not through ‘gatekeeper’ organisations.
? The heroic record of Commonwealth soldiers in the two World Wars should
be more fully reflected in the history curriculum.