Prayer in UK Schools: Multiculturalism and Liberal Tyranny with Lord Bikhu Parekh

This interview was conducted before the most recent verdict in the High Court rejecting the right of a student to conduct Muslim prayers in British schools.
Over the past few years there has been intense debate about the place of Muslim practice in liberal western societies. Across the west, partly because of the war on terror, politicians talk of unwelcome cultural shifts and the the need to chasten Islam in public life. In many European capitals, theres a debate about whether multiculturalism, a policy coined in the 1960s to integrate migrants, has had its day. Here in Britain, even many on the Labour left today blame the policy for allowing migrants to feel comfortable in their ‘ghettos’ whilst the right wing press talk of ‘no go areas’ and isolationist tendencies. This febrile environment has led to leaders like David Cameron to talk of a muscular liberalism. One that demands much more from those that have origins in other countries.
My guest today is Lord Bikhu Parekh. Bikhu is a champion of a pluralist society, one where liberal dogma makes way for a genuine multiculturalism where communities engage in a conversation, embracing the possible cultural shifts that may come with that. Bikhu is the emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Westminster and Hull, a distinguished scholar and prolific writer. Pertinent to today’s interview, he wrote ‘rethinking multiculturalism’.
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#thethinkingmuslimpodcast episode 147
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction

[@TheThinkingMuslim]

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[@asif530]

Really enjoyed this very insightful discussion with Lord Parekh. Very knowledgeable individual indeed. Thank you for bringing such a wonderful guest

[@debbielondon1809]

Old school!

[@lenwilkinson672]

Let the country have a referendum as to whether we want a multuculturalist country.its for us to decide not a few people who think they know what is good for us.

[@debbielondon1809]

Yes...who makes these decisions.

[@P1000H]

​@@debbielondon1809Corrupt politicians who defend the interests of the families that Jorge Sourus represents.

[@Sr68720]

go back to where you came from, wilkinson.

[@laalaaland1948]

In an Indian movie, I caught a glimpse of scene,on outer walls of swimming pool ; Dogs and Indians are not allowed.Of course that was , Sahib’s time in my country India, and this is my time in London Town… one foot up and one foot down. And thanidar bi apna Munda Sadiq hae. Fair dur kiss gull da? Bohet rulia Sahib ne, te hun sahadi bari hay; zarra dum rukho!😂

[@PauloAdriano-zo2ng]

That's because they were genuinely worried about the dogs attacking the Indians. 😏 They figured it would be best to separate the two parties and keep the general peace.😊

[@alib7489]

Thinking Muslim! My Friday night viewing is sorted Alhamdulillah.

[@aaa-qk1qi]

The Brits complain about multiculturalism, but those brits living in costa del sol for 20 years dont speak a word of Spanish, and get all their services from brits. Such hipocrisy.

[@justlooking4202]

The two top performing schools in the country are a Muslim girls school and a Muslim boys school.

[@Delhi_Sultan]

32:14 good point

[@Delhi_Sultan]

Another very good episode. Bikhu Parekh has very interesting insights

[@minarehman490]

This started so well... But it's deeply problematic to frame Israel as anything other than a settler colonial state that is occupying Palestine.

[@lenwilkinson672]

@minarehm. Palestine is not a state and never has been, do you live on Mars.?

[@acerbobo]

Palestine doesn't belong to Israel and also never has. Do you live on Jupiter?

[@SnakeySerpentine]

@@lenwilkinson672holocaust boohoo boohoo

[@SnakeySerpentine]

⁠@@lenwilkinson672punk Israel is not a legit state and never was stupid goof

[@greatcaledonianpenicillin5378]

​@@lenwilkinson672isr ael is a cryp to fasci stic ro gue st ate

[@candicecole19]

So remember me; I will remember you 🤍 ▫️Subhanallahi wa Bihamdihi ▫️Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilaih ▫️La hawla wala quwwata illa billah

[@mohdnorzaihar2632]

All kids/children's deserve to learn ethics/religious ethics or law

[@greendragonspirit1646]

If Muslim students are praying at break time , that shouldn't be a problem but if praying is at specific times than perhaps they should go to Muslim schools. Anyway, UK schools are terrible anyway.

[@dee6340]

Go to a madrasa and then do the prayers. You are not going to turn a secular school into an Islamic prayer place. Pray on your breaks...It's none of our business

[@greaterpakistan5586]

It is. We will pray in schools 💩✋🖕💥

[@goaltoinfinity3966]

👇🏼vote if you want to see Sahil Adeem

[@thewrightoknow]

Every student knew before joining the school knew that they did not allow prayer before they entered! If they wanted to pray they should have joined another school!

[@mop6279]

You haven't watched the interview

[@thewrightoknow]

@@mop6279 I stopped listening after I realised that what this gentleman was presenting from the start the context for admission to the school. I think there is schools in the UK where it is Ok for Muslims to pray. The school involved in the law suit has a different charter, that's all and all parents agreed to send their kids under those conditions. Here is what happened when prayer by a few Muslim children started praying in the school and the internal consequences impacting the children. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYqQnmapidFmmdE. Thanks for responding to my post.

[@taqveem]

It's so bizarre, is this really freedom? A child should be able to do what they want during their break time. It their time! They can play, socialise, madidate, pray, sit quietly, play hopscotch, skip rope, run around the playground screaming at the top of their voice. It's up to them, they are not hurting anyone. The courts have truly failed, but who have failed more are the parent's of those children who have not taken a tougher response. PTA needs to take more effort to bring a change in this policy.

[@mexicanwillis9426]

Muslims must axcept that Jesus christ is LORD above all The LORD our GLORIOUS GOD OVER ALL THE EARTH AND the world and all that DWELLETH belongeth to His Imperial majesty the most high GOD who ruleth over all things in althings through althings who liveth forevermore there is none but him and him alone.

[@nr68-68]

God certainly does rule over all things… there is none but Him(singular) and Him alone(singular). Jesus(as) was one of many of God’s Messengers.

[@sandrahaywood3367]

NO YOU ARE NOT ***

[@greaterpakistan5586]

Yes we are!

[@debbielondon1809]

Douglas Murray has never used the term "muscular liberalism". This is a misrepresentation. I think you should read him more carefully. He is intelligent and his perspectives are well worth considering.

[@Sr68720]

sometimes the term doesn't need to be said, when they are laying the path.

[@justlooking4202]

He's a grifter and Zionist shill

[@mohdnorzaihar2632]

Would they banned Christmas@christmas tree...could democracy work in a free will society!!!?? Peace be upon us all@assalamualaiqum wmt

[@kevindsz]

It’s a Christian nation, why should they?

[@lenwilkinson672]

MR. Palestine has never been a state.Its a place in the desert called palestine.once part of the British Empire until we handed it over to the U.N. Read your history.immigrants friom Arab countries in the Middle East colonised it for themselves when they were chucked out ..

[@greaterpakistan5586]

Bullshitt

[@anshuraj4277]

Don't like it... Get out joker

[@bittercoffee5362]

Another random Indian bot.

[@bosnianaviation5531]

Can someone pray Christian prayer in Afghanistan ? 🖕

[@bittercoffee5362]

Yes. Have you been? If you can convince them you don't harbour a malicious crusader mentality (that Bush echoed), they will let you, it's a religious obligation for Muslims towards other religious groups. Also - thriving Christian community in Pakistan despite the very rare occasion that an illiterate colonially-miseducated/undereducated mobs (the equivalent of far-right groups in USA and Europe) who the Muslim population put back in line very quickly. You need to get out more.

[@anshuraj4277]

If u r in west accept liberalism

[@ferozashraf8592]

Why?

[@marcusj9947]

@@ferozashraf8592 Because you are in the west. Go somewhere else if you want to live in a conservative religious country

[@mop6279]

Did you even watch the interview? By that logic, Hinduism cannot be practiced in the UK, Sikhs cannot wear their turbans at school, Christians cannot celebrate Easter in school.

[@dee6340]

@@mop6279 The west is historically Christian. Respect it

[@khaderlander2429]

If one reverses the question and by the same logic entertains this statement, if you are in a Muslim country, then except Islam, if you don't like it, go somewhere else, the very same liberal individuals will decry, it's outrageous that individuals are denied their freedom. The double standards and hypocrisy are very clear to see. You can choose anything ideology you like as long as it is liberalism. The irony is of the charts.

[@Shimra8888]

Then why not just leave these nasty liberal secular countries?

[@Revolutionary1449]

Exactly but for some reason, they don't talk about that.

[@ali-yp3yw]

because they are from these countries, equally british. stay mad.

[@kpopfan8109]

What if there actually from these countries and converted to the religion Islam later in there life? Haven't you ever thought about that? Or what if one of there parent is from the said secular country and the other is of another county but is also a Muslim? Or it could also be the case where while the parents were not originally from these so called secular countries there child was born in one of the said secular countries during the parents stay in the said country So if child was born and raised in the said country then technically the child is from that country period

[@Moses_VII]

I did. I don't care about the inferior standards of living here than in my old home

[@Shimra8888]

@@kpopfan8109 then they are apostate traitors who should be expelled. Surely you understand that?

[@_arshadm]

Maybe we can focus the Incredibly low attainment of Muslim children in the UK rather than more excuses to skip lessons. We've just had a month where Muslim children have missed revision for their exams because of Ramadan

[@ankhmorpok1497]

Your comment will be ignored as it asks a common sense question. Very sad.

[@_arshadm]

@@ankhmorpok1497 yes indeed, instead of the religious establishment building a faith that reconciled enlightenment values and our faith to allow our societies to benefit from science and technology we had even greater obscurantist and ingorance. The irony is this channel is called thinking Muslim.

[@danasiz9034]

Ramadan is one month. If a child needs to revise last minute then clearly the school has failed in the other 11 months of teaching them. That includes parents. We all know top grades are achieved through private tutors.

[@_arshadm]

@@danasiz9034 Muslims are amongst the poorest members of society, so the vast majority can't afford tuition. And this will impact them the most.

[@coverupper1354]

Where is your evidence for this? I revise better in Ramadan. Nobody is looking for excuses to miss lessons.