The "March for Shariah" must be opposed
Phil | 15.10.2009 12:03 | Anti-racism | Social Struggles
Such an announcement has already pushed all the buttons of the reactionaries of the British far-right. The Daily Express was quick to announce that "Muslims" have demanded full Shariah law, with the majority of readers who don't stray too far past the headlines losing the fact that it is "a radical Muslim group" hardly representative of the entire religion. No doubt statements from the British national Party (BNP) and the English Defence League (EDL) sourced directly from such right-wing tabloids will follow. This only shows that Choudary and his people know exactly which buttons to push in order to gain maximum exposure and infamy. It also offers them, by pointing at the fascists, a way to say that only racists oppose them.
It must be stated, unequivocally, that this is not true. The number of those opposed to Islamism goes far beyond the British and Western right. As a conservative, right-wing, and reactionary ideology itself, Islamism is the enemy of anti-fascist and radical left movements as much as fascism and neo-liberal imperialism are. As the Anarchist Federation (A-Fed) put it;
"We are the enemies of what gets termed ‘radical’ or ‘extremist’ Islamic groups. Their doctrine holds the revolution back. Whilst we are aware that Muslims too have been the victims of media vilification, some Islamists do indeed seek to justify indiscriminate terror. Whilst we know that support for these ideas has been the result of the actions of the state, not least its wars, we oppose disaffected Muslims who take up these ideas. The beliefs of the likes of al-Qaeda and the groups they support are revolting, and reactionary, and hold back a culture of genuine resistance. Our enemy’s enemy is NOT our friend. We have nothing in common with these people and their authoritarian, misogynist and anti-Semitic ideals."
With the fascist thugs of the EDL in Leeds that day, the time has come to put that principle into practice. When the EDL march, they do so against mosques and ordinary Muslims, their ranks filled with football hooligans and BNP activists, despite each group publicly disowning the other. With an active, reactionary, and highly visible extremist presence on the streets of London that day, the left cannot be silent.
The march commences at the House of Commons, and will make its way to Trafalgar Square via 10 Downing Street. It must be met with opposition, not from the fascists of the far-right, but from those whose resistance is grounded in working-class unity, anti-fascism, and anti-capitalism. Moreover, that opposition must be one which transcends race and religion.
There are Muslim groups - such as British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD), Muslims Against Sharia, and al-Fatiha - who would readily oppose Choudary and his march. No doubt there are far more individual Muslims, Asians, and Arabs who would also stand together against him. What we must avoid is the practice of authoritarian leftists such as George Galloway or the Socialist Workers' Party. To oppose Choudary's march is not simply to oppose the implementation of Sharia law but also to oppose the authoritarianism, patriarchy, and heterosexism that groups such as his offer. As such, even if they oppose this march, we cannot ally ourselves with those who would promote values so antithetical to our own. There should be no racial or religious borders beyond which bigotry is immune to resistance.
What this is, then, is a call to arms. If there is no opposition to this march from the radical left, in the same vein as we would and should oppose a march by the BNP, the EDL, or the old National Front, then it will be a massive failure on our part. More people than ever before are dissatisfied with the status quo and opening their eyes to the injustices of capitalism. Groups such as Islam for the UK, as readily as the BNP and EDL, are turning that dissatisfaction away from revolution and towards reaction.
If we are ever to see a radical transformation of society, that trend must be resisted at all cost.
Phil
e-mail:
mutantbumblebees@hotmail.com
Homepage:
http://truth-reason-liberty.blogspot.com
Comments
Hide the following 16 comments
Excellent article!
15.10.2009 13:32
Ruby
Well Said
15.10.2009 13:40
Northern Anarcho
Shift to the right
15.10.2009 15:22
The BNP themselves have even tapped into this form of Multiculturalism, demanding that "white heritage" is preserved and the interests of "indigenous" citizens are realised. Of course this is all nonsense, our skin colour does not define our place in society, i don't have any more common interest with Richard Branson than an Indian resturant worker has with Lakshi Mittal. However despite this glaring contradiction increasing numbers of people are following this idea that it is race, nationality and religion that define someone interests and not their social or economic situation.
Choudary, Griffin and all the other far-right muppets represent two sides of the same coin and i completely agree with the opening poster in that we do need to confront both groups, theoretically and practically, on the streets and in debate. Part of this has to be confronting political Multiculturalism as well as promoting a sense of community through class politics.
The idea of having socialists, anarchists, anti-fascists and other leftw ign and class struggle groups protesting against choudary's bunch while the EDL are miles away in Leeds is a good one. I'd love to see some artistic activists making a placard featuring Choudary and Griffin cosying up in bed, they seemt o hate each other but have so much in common!
Bruisedshins
good suggestion
15.10.2009 15:24
D02
EDL now doing London
15.10.2009 15:32
just got home, OFFICIAL STANCE OF EDL FOR 31ST = LONDON against ANJEM CHOUDRAY, all those that are able to attend contact me direct for meeting points etc, anyone unable to make london and still wish to have a presence in LEEDS that day let me know a...s need to let police know asap, I will be co-ordinating london, will have the banners etc and we need to show him we wont let him take our CAPITAL CITY !
Lady England wrote at 16:29
after talking to tommy all day, it has been decided that our main demo will be london as our primary objectives are against anjem choudray and sharia law and this is where he will be, we need to show him he cant make demands in our capitol city or against our monarch, anyone unabvle to make london and still wishing to go to leeds to protest contact me for details as we will be having a simultanous demo there for those that want it or cant make london
D02
Yes!
15.10.2009 15:33
Keith
Keith misses the point by a country mile....
15.10.2009 16:59
It's good that the EDL decided to change their venue, this will mean that if a counter-demo against Choudary and the EDL is called everyone who wants to be there doesn't have to worry about Leeds.
Fuck the EDL and fuck Choudary, they are different sides of the same coin.
Durruti
Islam and the left
15.10.2009 17:26
This has left the way clear for the BNP and other far-right groups to incite hatred against followers of the religion, as is evident by some of the right wing trolls on here.
The radical left should be critical of Islam and all other religions that depend on adherence to 'laws' made by 'god' which are often anti-woman, anti-gay etc.
People are free to follow any religion they please, but don't judge me or anyone else on what your religion tells you is right or wrong, and religious leaders, while entitled to their views, should have no power to affect the government or the law of this or any country.
We must feel free to criticise all religions which often preach intolerance of anyone with a different world view, without pandering to the BNP's race-hate rhetoric.
byezbozhnik
counter demo?
15.10.2009 19:55
chris
Interesting Development
15.10.2009 20:12
In the recent edition of Shift magazine an interview with autonomous anticapitalist group TOP Berlin describes how German groups are engaging with the shift within the European far right towards a focus on Islam. As well as in Britain and Germany this is embodied by the populist campaign of Geert Wilders in Holland and this horrifying, yet popular, viral video on You Tube. Some groups in Germany have responded with a combination of actively opposing far right demonstrations combined with holding demonstrations in the days before articulating a clear rejection of both islamism and fascism.
There are many ways in which the left can respond to this demonstration on the 31st. Avoiding the demonstration would, in my opinion, provide an opportunity for the EDL and other groups to appear as the voice of reason against the Sharia law. The left must have a presence and must attempt to argue against both forms of authoritarianism if we wish to stay relevant in this debate. How we do will, hopefully, emerge through discussions like these. I’m particularly interested in seeing the response of UAF and similar groups inspired by an often unquestioning, simplified anti-imperialist position which has led to the support of authoritarian regimes such as Hamas and Iran.
Resonance
Resonance
Homepage: http://res0nance.wordpress.com/
Let me know of any plans
15.10.2009 23:47
Being in Liverpool, I'm a bit too far away to organise anything, but if something does come up I can of course make sure that antifascists and anarchists up this way are aware of what's going on. If anybody hears anything, please let me know so that I can publicise it. Otherwise, especially with the EDL now making their way down, there's the risk that the UAF will dominate everything, protest the EDL, and prove the fascists right whilst the religious extremists march on unopposed.
I'll keep an eye out for information myself, but a heads up on any planned actions would be greatly appreciated.
Phil
e-mail: mutantbumblebees@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://truth-reason-liberty.blogspot.com
contributions from urban75
16.10.2009 09:08
"Spion 15-10-2009, 22:45
Maybe there needs to be a new campaign against the likes of Choudry? - the UAF isn't appropriate. They're not fascist - they're not a direct physical threat on the streets. They should be allowed to march but opposed loudly and leafletted etc, with clear propaganda against the dead end of Islamism (as useless and reactionary against its stated aims of US/UK occupation, as no answer in socio-economic terms) while making clear any opposition to them is not racist, is not anti-muslims as a religious/cultural group, for religious freedom but against religion being being able to impose its view. And it's massively important that w/c asians/muslims are heavily involved.
Workers/Communities Against Fundamentalism?
In London there'd have to be a response against the EDL too, with their racist approach. Damn, this is getting complicated :D "
D02
Everything is just a means to an end to the Marxist left
16.10.2009 13:34
This leads to all sorts of contradictions and swerving violently between different positiona, such as being in favour of women's and gay rights, religious freedom etc but at the same time supporting radical Islamists that are fanatically opposed to all three. It was also the thinking of course that led to mass killings and atrocities in communist countries - it became logical and 'good' to kill or abuse anyone who appeared to be standing in the way of the end.
The most striking example of this I believe was the communists' line of fascism in the 1930s. First of all they decided that world capitalism was about to collapse and therefore the task was to finish it off. Therefore the moderate-left were attacked as being as bad as the fascists - with capitalism seemingly on its last legs there was no point in compromise, only revolution. Then when it became clear that capitalism wasn't about to collapse they performed a U-turn and everything was about uniting with any party opposed to fascism. Finally there was another violent change in position as the communists decided that a war between fascism and their erstwhile 'democratic' allies was what was needed to ruin the world capitalist system and herald the revolution. Suddenly the fascists became allies and the 'bourgeois democrats' were the enemy again and the USSR started sending supplies to Nazi Germany just a year or two after sending supplies to fight against them in Spain.
It will be interesting to see what happens. In my opinion it is likely that the SWP et al will unite with the Sharia crowd against the EDL, thereby allying with the group with the most openly reactionary position. It wouldn't be the first time they've started shouting "We're all Hezbollah now" and "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is great) etc.
Ed
You're all nuts!
16.10.2009 17:58
Yes, I hate religion too but get real!
dissenter
@ dissenter
17.10.2009 12:40
Phil
e-mail: mutantbumblebees@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://truth-reason-liberty.blogspot.com
Excellent post Phil
18.10.2009 08:00
Climate change, animal rights, the ecomomy, racism, many important issues would be completely sidelined under a regime of either group and maybe forever. The opinion of the regime would become indisputable fact which is would be very dangerous to counter.
I can't see any of these scum getting power but Phil is right at present we have 2 authoritarian groups both of whom want absolute power, alienated young men are beginning to feel polarised and are looking for something to belong to. This must never be allowed to gain momentum.
I am just really pissed off that whilst we should be concentrating on the greatest challenge of all time i.e the destruction of life on earth that race and religion are the major focus of conflict, a conflict which none of us has chosen but may be forced into. I for one thought that we were over the jackboot of religious oppression and fascism but we should not be complacent.
Lynn Sawyer