'Quite unlike some high profile UK Muslims to date ... Dr Bari carries the weight of the community with him ... He is not afraid to challenge the elders or the angry voices of young people. His words and advice in this book will be an uncomfortable challenge for all who wish to stay in their comfort zones and blame others for their plight.'
- Neil Jameson CBE, Executive Director of Citizens UK
'The subject of Muslim engagement in Britain is a fraught one. In this book we hear first hand one man's journey and hopes for the future.'
- Shelina Janmohamed, author of Generation M: Young Muslims Changing the World.
'Instrumental in creating a successful multicultural, multi-ethnic London Olympic Games Muhammad worked tirelessly to unite faiths, nationalities and communities to ensure the delivery of the most cosmopolitan Olympic Games ever seen.'
- Lord Colin Moynihan, Chairman of the British Olympic Association London 2012 and former Minister for Sport.
'I have had the privilege of knowing Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari for many years. He is a figure of great compassion and integrity, and has played an enormous role in representing the British Muslim communities. This book is a deeply moving personal story about how one British Muslim has dealt with courage and patience with very complex and sensitive issues for over three decades.'
- Peter Oborne, Columnist for the Daily Mail and Middle East Eye
'In this memoir, Muhammad Abdul Bari provides a unique perspective on the evolution of the Muslim community in the UK, through his role as a community activist. His personal account offers an insight into the multitude of community projects and initiatives, and the challenges faced in light of key events and policy developments for the Muslim community as it has continued to mature over the last few decades. Dr Bari's efforts to cultivate relationships within and beyond the Muslim community to contribute towards a better understanding and foster positive relations is a great example of how Muslims can play a positive role in society.'
- Shaykh Akram Nadwi, Islamic scholar, Dean of Cambridge College and author of The Women Scholars in Islam
A LONG
JIHAD
My Quest forthe Middle Way
MUHAMMAD ABDUL BARI
A Long Jihad. My Quest for the Middle Way
First published in England by
Kube Publishing Ltd
Markfield Conference Centre
Ratby Lane Markfield Leicestershire
LE67 9SY United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1530 249230 Fax: +44 (0) 1530 249656
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.kubepublishing.com
© Muhammad Abdul Bari, 2018 All rights reserved
The right of Muhammad Abdul Bari to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
Cataloguing-in-Publication Data is available from the British library
ISBN 978-1-84774-118-9 Hardback
ISBN 978-1-84774-117-2
Paperback ISBN 978-1-84774-119-6 ebook
Initial Concept Cover Design: Inspiral Design Cover Design: Nasir Cadir Typesetting: Nasir Cadir
Printed by:
Contents
Chapter 1 On my way to Britain
Chapter 2 Into the world of community activism
Chapter 3 An inclusive Muslim identity
Chapter 4 British Muslims and the 7/7 maelstrom
Chapter 5 2010: The coming storm
Chapter 6 Summer 2012: Britain at its best
Chapter 7 Radicalization and terror
Chapter 8 Family, faith and community spirit
Conclusion Striving for the middle way
OVER THE COURSE of an eventful life I have worked alongside many groups and individuals and this book is the outcome of the ideas, discussions and debate that arose with many of them. I am hugely indebted to each and every one from all these groups and no amount of gratitude will suffice; acknowledging them individually will be an impossible task and I beg forgiveness from all those who have helped me during this process but whose names I have failed to mention.
However, there are a few who have energetically helped me with their support during the preparation of this manuscript. In particular, I would like to mention Rumman Ahmed, Dr Jamil Sherif, Musleh Faradi, Neil Jameson, Nick Ryan and Sir Stephen O'Brien. Among them, Rumman and Jamil devoted their invaluable time with ideas, suggestions and painstaking critical analysis at various stages of the draft, and I am grateful to Nick for his editing. I am also grateful for Usaama Azami's very helpful comments on various issues discussed in the book, as well as his invaluable editorial support. May God almighty reward them all for their efforts.
I am where I am today because of the parenting I received from my own mother and father in my childhood years. They are no more in this world, but continue to be my guide in life, may God bless their souls. Our four children: Rima, Raiyan, Labib and Adib – who are now all adults and professionals – have been my companions in life. Raiyan spent a huge amount of time, in spite of his demanding job, going through most of the chapters, and I am indebted to all of them for their direct and indirect help through all the phases of the book.
However, my indebtedness to Sayeda, my life partner and confidant, knows no bound. As the main pillar of our blessed family, she has encouraged and supported me ever since we first formed a family, and her liveliness, resilience and wisdom have always kept me in high spirits.
At the end of the day, this book is written by me and I take full responsibility for its contents. I am grateful to God almighty for guiding me in every stage of my life, and I seek His forgiveness for my errors and shortcomings.