Loading Now

How grooming gangs, sharia councils have left Britain at a dangerous crossroads – Firstpost

How grooming gangs, sharia councils have left Britain at a dangerous crossroads – Firstpost



The disaster that was in the making by the political correctness of the British political leaders is slowly coming to the surface, mounting pressures on UK PM Keir Starmer. The skeletons in his closet are coming out, given his problematic stint as the Director of Public Prosecutions and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service from 2008 till 2013. He was in charge of the CPC as it investigated the “grooming gangs”, which, as further discussion clarifies, is not an appropriate term for the groups of British-Pakistani men sexually exploiting thousands of young British girls over the decades.

However, while Keir Starmer is directly involved in this major cover-up of this monumental issue, he is only a symptom on the surface of a deep underlying problem infesting the British political discourse for a long time.

The Jay Report of 2014, which exposed the horrific abuse of 1,400 children in Rotherham, serves as a damning indictment of the institutional apathy and fear of being labelled racist that allowed these atrocities to persist. Time and again, it has been revealed that authorities turned a blind eye to the suffering of vulnerable children, prioritising optics over action. This grotesque failure of governance is exemplified by the fact that police, social workers, and local councils ignored or downplayed the abuse despite being made aware of it. Some victims, when they sought help, were dismissed or even blamed for their plight.

The grooming gang scandals, which have emerged in cities like Rochdale, Rotherham, Telford, and others, illustrate a systemic issue that transcends individual cases. In Rochdale, for example, the Burnham-commissioned review confirmed that between 2004 and 2013, young girls were systematically drugged, raped, and exploited. The perpetrators’ modus operandi involved grooming underage girls with alcohol, drugs, and gifts—luring them into a trap of psychological manipulation and sexual abuse. The fact that many of these victims were children in state care or from broken homes underscores the predatory nature of these crimes and the duty of care that was grossly abdicated.

Yet, even as the evidence piled up, political correctness remained an obstacle. Suella Braverman’s assertion that “almost all” grooming gang offenders were British-Pakistani men sparked outrage among some, but it also reflected uncomfortable truths that had been buried under layers of euphemisms and deflections. The reluctance to address the ethnic dimension of the perpetrators not only impeded justice but also eroded public trust in institutions tasked with safeguarding the vulnerable. Failing to call out the cultural dynamics at play is not anti-racist—it is anti-victim.

The British populace, particularly the families of the abused girls, has been forced to endure not only the horror of the crimes but also the insult of official inaction. The systemic cover-up, born out of a misguided adherence to political correctness, has left scars on the nation’s conscience. Leaders like Keir Starmer must answer for their roles in perpetuating this injustice, not hide behind platitudes. If Britain is to restore faith in its institutions, it must confront this issue head-on, acknowledging past failures and ensuring that no child suffers such atrocities again. The silence that enabled these crimes was not just cowardly—it was complicit.

Despite huge backlash and widespread condemnation, including by celebrities like Elon Musk and JK Rowling, the British establishment doesn’t seem to be taking notes. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday blocked another attempt by Conservative Party leaders to launch a national inquiry into the alleged ‘grooming gangs’ scandal. Yes, Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, which enjoys a large majority in the House of Commons, rejected a Conservative Children Wellbeing and Socials Bill to push for another national inquiry into grooming gangs by 364 votes to 111.

The term “Asian grooming gangs” is not only inaccurate but also unfair, as it dilutes the issue as well as stigmatises the broader Asian community, including Indians, in the UK.

The grooming gangs scandal is not an isolated issue but part of a broader challenge to British values and the rule of law posed by the unchecked proliferation of Sharia courts. These informal bodies, currently numbering around 85 across Britain, wield significant influence in matters of marriage, family life, and inheritance within certain communities. Their existence and functioning raise profound concerns about the erosion of human rights and the undermining of constitutional principles in the United Kingdom.

The roots of these councils lie in religious arbitration, ostensibly serving the needs of Muslim communities. However, their rulings often conflict with the UK’s legal and constitutional framework. For instance, it is estimated that 100,000 marriages have taken place in Britain under Sharia law, many of which remain unregistered with civil authorities. This leaves women particularly vulnerable, as they lack the legal protections afforded by a registered marriage under UK law. Men, on the other hand, can exploit Sharia’s provisions, such as pronouncing “talaq” thrice to unilaterally end a marriage, perpetuating patriarchal norms that have no place in a modern, rights-based society.

The normalisation of practices like polygamy within these councils further highlights the stark divergence from British law. Polygamy is illegal in the UK, with offenders guilty of bigamy. Yet, tools like the “Muzz” app, approved by a Sharia court, openly facilitate the practice by allowing men to create Islamic wills with options for up to four wives. The option of creating ‘wills’ through this app also codifies gender inequality by allocating daughters only half the inheritance granted to sons. Such practices blatantly contradict the principles of equality enshrined in British law and undermine the nation’s commitment to gender parity.

Perhaps most troubling is the extent to which Sharia councils have gained de facto legitimacy. The Islamic Sharia Council, founded by hardline preacher Haitham al-Haddad, hears an estimated 900 cases annually. Al-Haddad, infamous for his regressive views, once declared that a man should not be questioned for hitting his wife, as it is “something between them”. Shockingly, rulings from such councils have even influenced decisions in UK courts, as seen when the High Court lent credence to a verdict issued by a Sharia council. This sets a dangerous precedent, signalling that parallel legal systems can operate within Britain, undermining the universality of the rule of law.

The existence and influence of Sharia courts are emblematic of a broader reluctance among British leaders to confront practices that are fundamentally at odds with modern values of human rights. This permissiveness, driven by a misguided sense of cultural sensitivity or fear of accusations of Islamophobia, does a disservice not only to vulnerable individuals within these communities but to the integrity of British society as a whole. The failure to challenge such parallel systems fosters enclaves of inequality and injustice, where women and children bear the brunt of regressive rulings shielded from scrutiny by the veil of religion.

For Britain to uphold its values of equality, liberty, and the rule of law, it must decisively address the issue of Sharia councils. This requires reaffirming that no religious or cultural practice can supersede the rights guaranteed under the constitution. Anything less is a betrayal of the very principles that define the nation.

When a group or community migrates to a new society or country in search of greener pastures, it is their responsibility to integrate within the local culture as much as possible, rather than carrying a parallel legal system that blatantly contradicts both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the values of their new nation. Unfortunately, the unchecked proliferation of Sharia councils and the systemic failures in addressing grooming gangs highlight the dangers of neglecting this principle. These issues reflect the larger problem of cultural fragmentation within British society—a challenge exacerbated by mass, unchecked immigration.

While grooming gangs and Sharia courts may appear as separate concerns, they are, in fact, symptomatic of the same grave error: the failure to enforce meaningful integration and ensure rigorous screening processes for migrants. In today’s globalised world, migration is inevitable, and organic cultural exchange can enrich societies. However, this does not negate the need for stringent checks on the values and practices of those entering the country. Immigration policies must assess not only economic viability but also alignment with modern human rights and democratic principles.

The British leadership’s focus on economic growth appears to have clouded its judgment. The allure of cheap labour, often a byproduct of mass immigration, has seemingly taken precedence over the safety and security of British citizens. While this strategy may yield short-term economic benefits, it overlooks the long-term societal consequences, including the erosion of British democracy, the dilution of shared values, and the undermining of human rights. If women and children in Britain cannot walk freely without fear, or if communities are allowed to foster practices that contradict the nation’s core principles, then economic gains are a hollow achievement.

The time has come for British leaders to make a critical decision: continue on the path of unchecked immigration in pursuit of short-term economic goals or recalibrate policies to preserve the safety and rights of its citizens. A future where all communities contribute to and respect the democratic ethos of Britain is not only desirable but necessary. Leaders must prioritise fostering a cohesive society where integration is not just encouraged but demanded, and where the rights of every individual—regardless of their background—are equally safeguarded. Anything less is a betrayal of Britain’s values and its people.

The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.



Source link

Post Comment