Young Muslims speak out on bomb outrage

YOUNG Muslims from Camden – who work near to the scene of Thursday’s two terrorist bomb explosions in the borough – told the New Journal yesterday (Wednesday) how extremist violence had no part in their religion.
They said that young Muslims, rather than turning to fundamentalism, were more likely to rebel against their parents by adopting Western lifestyles.
Askary Rahman, 26, who works for Fitzrovia Youth Action in Warren Street said: “The old fashioned Bangladeshi Muslim will call himself just that. But all young Muslims will call themselves British Muslims. They have had traditional upbringing and religion is still part of their culture, but they feel just as British as you do. We are told what to think by our parents. But when you step out the door you see something totally different. It’s all about experience, isn’t it?”
Junel Miah, also 26, who helped set up mixed community football tournaments to counter racism, said fears of a backlash came from first generation Muslims. He said: “Most young people’s outlook is for world peace – maybe four per cent of Muslims, or any community, are the opposite. I feel as sad about this as anyone else. It was just as chaotic for a young British Muslim as anyone else.”
Ms Rahman added: “It’s easy to turn suicide bombing into a Muslim agenda. But this kind of reaction could come out of any group.
“I think it is to do with a young person – not specifically a Muslim person – searching for an identity or belonging. It is a kind of martyrdom. Now this man from Leeds is famous beyond belief.”