By IRNA,
London : British Muslim scholars have joined together to urge the country’s two million community to discharge their duty as responsible citizens and vote in next week’s local and European elections.
“Participating in the democratic process is vital. As citizens we have a right to choose the people who represent us and to determine who gets to affect our daily lives. As Muslims, we have an obligation to join hands with others to elect those who will seek the common good,” the scholars said.
In a joint statement, they urge Muslims to resist the temptation to stay away from the polls on June 4 due to the expenses scandal that has embroiled MPs from the three main political parties that has led to much public scepticism about British politicians.
“Muslims should exercise their vote, and use the opportunity, alongside their fellow Britons, to vote for people who they feel will represent them, and will discharge their duty to seek the common good in a spirit of public service. It is a time to demand greater scrutiny of those who represent us,” it said.
The statement was issued by 13 Islamic scholars representing diverse traditions and schools of thoughts and was endorsed by the Muslim Council of Britain, the country’s mainstream umbrella group of more than 500 Muslim organisations, including mosques, charities and community groups.
The scholars warned that Muslims had the added responsibility to vote in the European elections, where there was a risk of the extreme right-wing British Nationalist Party (BNP) gaining its first seat if much of the electorate do not bother to go to the polls.
“They will join Islamophobes from continental Europe to further perpetuate their message of hate against Muslims. In the past, their leaders have described Islam as “a vicious, wicked faith” and have falsely accused Muslims of all sorts of crimes,” they said.
Imams and community leaders were reminded to mention to congregations during weekly prayers on Friday the importance of mobilising Muslims to vote in great numbers and to “stop racist and anti-Muslim candidates get elected in the European Parliament.”
Others’ warnings against a backlash of protest votes in the wake of the scandal over MPs’ expenses and the dangers of the BNP gaining its first seat in the 785-member European Parliament have also been issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and trade unionists among others.