An Open Letter to Muslim Politicians, Activists, and Community Leaders

Dear Respected Leaders and Influencers,

We write to you today to discuss a critical topic: the correct Muslim stance regarding living and participating in the political landscape of the West. As influential figures within our community, your actions and endorsements carry significant weight. It is imperative to approach this role with a perspective that aligns with our values and the broader interests of both Muslims and non-Muslims.

With every election cycle, we observe a recurring frenzy aimed at rallying Muslims around particular politicians or political parties. Over the years, some individuals have played the political revolving door game, switching allegiances from Labour to Tory, to Liberal Democrats, and even to UKIP, it seems the mood is for independent candidates this time round. To the politically naive, this may seem like the natural trajectory. However, for seasoned activists and community leaders like yourselves, this trend is a cause for deeper concern.

It is disheartening to see that despite your extensive experience, many of you continue to push the community towards rallying behind a system designed to serve the elite rather than the masses. This system’s inherent flaws have left many, both Muslims and non-Muslims, disenfranchised and struggling. When you have choices between heating and eating, or when the young pay more for their insurance than their car or a place where women don’t feel safe walking the streets, you know truly we are living in a system that is broken. It is even more concerning that, having likely been victims of this decaying system yourselves, you still choose to ignore the systemic injustices and push for participation in a flawed political framework.

We propose a novel approach to political and social engagement that targets the underlying issues of our collective challenges and strives for meaningful, long-term activism. This involves presenting Islam as an intellectual and ideological alternative. While some may quickly express concerns about implementing Sharia in Britain, this initiative is not about enforcing Islamic law in the UK. Instead, it aims to introduce the debate on Islam as a potential alternative to a global system that primarily benefits the elite. Whether in London, Lahore, Belgium or Bahrain, the prevailing system serves only the elite. Our recent letter to Keir Starmer illustrates how we believe our leaders should address these challenges. The letter does not advocate for implementing Sharia but rather calls for an honest debate and encourages Starmer to consider this debate of an alternative to the current system, which has consistently prioritised the interests of the elite.

Moving Forward

It is evident that the current political system primarily serves the interests of a select few. This has left the majority, including many Muslims, to bear the brunt of the consequences. For example, economic inequality and injustice continue to disproportionately affect all communities. Therefore, we urge you to read our letter to Keir Starmer and consider its insights. Let it serve as a foundation for a new form of activism.

We encourage you to rethink your approach and consider how you can contribute to society, rather than merely participating in its cyclical and often futile rituals. By doing so, you will not only uplift the Muslim community but also forge alliances with other marginalised groups, creating a broader voice for understanding Islam.

We ask you to lead by example, to stand firm in your principles, and to champion a vision of Islam that transcends the political affiliations of the secular elite. Together, we can build a community  that truly can become a beacon for humanity.

With sincere regards,

Editor of ReRun