Media should avoid overplaying sporadic incidents of terrorism: Sadiq Khan

The first Muslim member of the British cabinet Sadiq Khan was born in Tooting in 1970. His early years were spent in a council flat in the Henry Prince Estate in Earlsfield. He attended Fircroft Primary and Ernest Bevin Schools, before going to the University of North London to study law. He completed the Law Society finals at the College of Law in Guildford and trained as a Human Rights Solicitor. His father was a bus driver.  Carrying a mild smile at his face, Sadiq Khan is a big supporter of Liverpool Football Club and Surrey county Cricket Club. He was married in 1994. The couple has two daughters of 8 and 9 years. He was elected as the Member Parliament on May 5, 2005 and was appointed as the Minister of State for Transport in June 2009. Earlier, he had been Parliamentary Secretary for the communities. He visited Mecca and Medina last year as the first ever minister from a western country. He was awarded 'Newcomer of the Year' by the Spectator Magazine and Parliamentarian of the Year awards 2005. Sadiq Khan, who had been a councillor in Tooting Ward from 1994 to 2001, was working as Human Rights Lawyer before elected to the Parliament. Since 1994 he is also the Governor of the school where he received his primary education. During the conversation with The Asians, he discussed in detail different topics including British politics.

The Asains:  You're born and brought up in the UK while your parents were from Pakistan. How often you visit the country of your parents?

Sadiq Khan: I try to visit as much as I can. Usually I go there once in two years. There I have many relatives including my maternal grandmother and aunts. My daughters also love to visit Pakistan as that is their heritage. My father has since died. My mother also loves to visit Pakistan to see sisters twice a year.

The Asians: You're father of two daughters. What social values are you giving to them?

Sadiq Khan:  Very good question, we have many identities – a British Muslim as well as Pakistani heritage. I want to bring up my daughters in such a manner that they could not feel difficulty in understanding their religion and culture. My elder daughter observed fasting in the Ramadan and I am sure that they understand their religion well. They have friends from different religions and maintain good relationship with them. My daughters are as closer to my mother, brothers and sister as they are with the relatives of my wife who live in he neighbourhood.  It is important to me that my daughters should know about their values and the importance of the family. We are seven brothers and one sister and are close to one another. We all gather at the resident of my mother to celebrate Eid and other festivals. My mother has 21 grand children while my in-laws have six grandchildren. The children enjoy good relations with one another. I want that my children should know their family values and understand what is good or bad.

The Asians: How did you feel after your appointment as first ever Muslim Minister?

Sadiq Khan:  There are 74 MPs from London where 40% - the highest number in the country – are Muslims. I was the first Muslim MP. However, my identity is only as a British MP. Religion is my personal matter. I do not look my person from the eyes of the religion. However, I cannot deny the fact that I am Muslim. My community was happier than me over my appointment and I received a lot of congratulatory emails, messages, cards gifts and flowers. They are proud of me that for the first time a Muslim had been appointed as such. In my opinion the parliament should represent the society in which, historically speaking, it has failed. Women returned to the Parliament in 1992. Presently there are 646 MPs of which 126 are women. Muslim MPs are lesser in number. Being from a minority community it is my responsibility to speak for their problems. I am pleased that here everyone is equal regardless of his religion. I was not given the office because I am a Muslim or of Pakistani background but the Prime Minister Gordon Brown found me the most suitable incumbent for the job. The voters here do not vote anyone because of being a Muslim but in recognition of his services to the electorate. In the United Stats John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic President who asked for votes on religious basis but I did not do so although I feel proud of being from Pakistani background.  I was the first British Minister who visited Mecca and Medina and performed Umrah. My visit was also the first of a minister in European history. I took oath on Koran and presented the copy to the Queen.

The Asians: Hijab has become a controversial issue in the west. What is your stance on this issue?

Sadiq Khan:  Surely ‘Hijab’ is an issue in France and Turkey although both are republics. So far I am concerned, women should be allowed to choose instead of imposing some dress code upon them as what should they wear or what should be the length of their skirt or trousers.  They should decide by themselves whether they should wear burqa, hijab or jalaba. If we trust them, they would not disappoint us. That is why some wear burqa, some hijab and some head-scarf according to their own will. The women, like men, should be allowed to choose their dress.

The Asians: You've visited Pakistan as social cohesion minister and attended meetings at the universities there. How was that experience and what kind of reaction did you receive from Pakistani youth about the UK's role as the main American ally in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Sadiq Khan:  Both UK and Pakistan enjoy historical relations. Pakistan obtained freedom from British rule in 1947. Of the 60 million British population 2 million are Muslims including one million of Pakistani origin. Frequent travelling continues between the two countries round the year. Many British families have family connections in Pakistan. Trade volume between the two countries stands at 1.7 billion pound sterling.  But the most disturbing for me is that Pakistan is in the grip of terrorism which is very dangerous. Pakistan had won 20-20 cricket championship held here. Though terrorism is a big problem but there are some positive things. A large number of Pakistani students are getting education in the U.K. Children of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari are also studying here. Both countries maintain cultural ties that could not be ignored. I found deep feelings in Pakistanis about the UK and they know the importance of better relationship between the two countries. But they could not believe that a Pakistani could be successful in this country although there are examples of Olympic medallist Amir Khan, MPs businessmen, teachers and artists. What we need is to educate each other about our respective countries.

The Asians: In May last year year you visited Saudi Arabia and also went to the holy city of Mecca. A section of British press gave impression that you did the pilgrimage on taxpayers' cost. Have you ever been to Mecca before on a private visit?

Sadiq Khan: I performed Hajj along with my mother two years back.  One should not forget that Saudi Arabia is theological guide for Muslim World. Many students go there for religious education. 16 of the 19 suicide bombers of 9/11 belonged to that country and terrorism is an important issue at the moment. US, Germany and France have no Muslim minister who could visit Mecca and Medina and talk to the Imam of the grand mosque.

The Asians: Condition of Muslims in UK is deplorable who think that 10 Downing Street had rendered only lip service to them?

Sadiq Khan: This government has taken a lot of measures to improve Muslim lot and set a standard of minimum wages.  The government has spent a record amount on improvement of services, public services, council housing, police and standard of education. Those who use the public services are from our community. Two third of the Muslims are below the age of 35 while two third of them are below 16 and one third are 16 years of age. The government has provided big funding for schools from which our children would certainly benefit. Hospitals are also being used mostly by British Muslims. Muslims have found more and better job opportunities during the tenure of the Labour government. Two third of the Muslim population lives in 88 most backward wards and the government has made all possible  efforts to improve living condition in these areas. There was no Muslim faith school in UK before July 7 while there were more than 2000 Catholic over 400 churches and 38 Jews schools all state funded. I am the chairman of the first primary Muslim faith school. There are financial products made in conformity with the Sharia. Earlier many Muslims in this country could not get their house as they did not want to take loans on interest basis. But the situation now has changed. Britain is one of the European countries where Islamic financing according to Sharia is available. Britain is an example for many Muslim counties in this regard. Halal food is easily available everywhere in big and small stores and negotiations are being held with major European companies to supply Halal food. There is no ban on women to wear hijab at their work place.  Law was enacted in the country to end discrimination on the basis of race, gender and physical disability. However, some employers rejected the application of the candidates on religious ground but the Labour government has amended the law and now no one could be discriminated at their place of employment on religions ground. Similarly no one could be targeted in hospitals, police and council services. They are bound to promote equality. The Labour government has enacted effective laws to promote social diversity and harmony and some import amendments I challenge you to tell me if there is any country in the world where the minorities are being protected to that extent. But on the hand many British Muslim children do not go to school. A large number of British women of Pakistani origin are economically inactive.  There is a dearth of role models in the Muslim community. One of the reasons responsible for this situation is the factors behind the immigration of Pakistani immigrants as majority of them belonged to rural areas. Comparing to urban people they had less awareness about education and schools. Most of them laboured in factories for 16 hours. Education was of little importance for them. That was why their children also could not shine in education.

The Asians:  The British government is spending money to eradicate extremism from Muslim youth. However some sections term the foreign policy responsible for this extremism. What do you say about this?

Sadiq Khan: I know that because even before my return to the parliament many people were not happy with the foreign policy. I myself launched campaign against Iraq war and did not stop criticizing the foreign policy even after becoming MP. I published a letter in The Times criticizing the foreign policy in the backdrop of the Lebanon war back in 2006. People have the right to criticize any government policy but it is wrong to blame it for violence and terrorism. I, as Minister for Community Cohesion tried best to remove this impression and provided platforms like Muslim Advisory group to express their opinion, feelings and fears and write letters to the parliament as well as register their complaint or file petitions. They may take their message to others within the orbit of law. However, criticizing the government policy as the reason for terrorism could not be tolerated. Last December when Gaza incident took place, Prime Minister Gordon Brown strongly condemned Israeli action. The British Foreign Minster raised the issue in the Security Council and increased the assistance for the occupied territories. Terrorism is condemnable in all its forms and could not be justified.

The Asians:  According to some reports, British Muslims feel under pressure due to media trial and Islamophobia. Do you agree with this?

Sadiq Khan:  A section of the Western press is working on the agenda of defaming Islam. While on the other hand a section of the extremists is presenting itself as the true Muslim by sporting long beard and taking cover of Islam. They even can’t speak English. The moderate white British living in the suburbs think that they represent the real face of Islam.  The knowledge of the people in the West from common man to the politicians about Islam is based on ignorance and obsolete knowledge. It is our responsibility to tell them that terrorism is not the part of Islam. On the contrary this is the religion of peace. If we mixed up with the people of other religions they would have better knowledge about Muslims and Islam. A certain class that proclaims themselves to be Muslims has hijacked Islam and claims to represent the Muslims. We have to check them. In my opinion media is responsible to make the things worse and distort Islam. When you go through the newspapers it seems that all Muslims are terrorists and they treat women badly while the fact is totally opposite. 

The Asians:  Unemployment among Muslims community is higher than the other communities especially their women are in very backward condition. Muslim children trail in education. You remained minister for community cohesion. What you think are the reasons for this situation?

Sadiq Khan:  It is unfortunate that our community has very little awareness about the significance of education and its acquisition although it plays an important role to elevate the man in the society.  Many of the Muslims who migrated from Pakistan here earned very small income and settled in most backwards areas due to which their children received education in comparatively low standard schools.  I understand that the parents’ training and ambience of the school play important role in the education of the children. Another important factor a new comer is the cultural differences, Majority of the migrants cannot speak English. How can the parents help their children in their education when none of them can speak English? This reduces the level of confidence in the children. The parents do not participate in school governance and other activities for they cannot speak English. They are shy of meeting the teachers to know about the progress of their children as they are not conversant with the language. That is why I always stress on them to learn English. If there is some discrimination at work places and schools, we have to prepare ourselves to face the situation. Responsibility also rests upon our shoulders to improve the situation. Instead of blaming or transferring the responsibility upon the shoulders of others, we as individuals, community and the government together have to bring about changes in the society.

The Asians:  Forced marriages, besides the third world are also a serious problem in the Britain. What you have to say about this?

Sadiq Khan:  Honour killing and forced marriages are not acceptable for me. However, there is no harm in arranged marriages as many non Muslims also have arranged marriage which their parents arranged for their children. Honour could not be a licence to kill as a murder is a murder. Honour killing is also against Islam. It is quite deplorable that when incidents of honour killings and forced marriages appear in the media, a non Muslim derives that Muslims only have forced marriages and on their refusal they are killed. Two third of the Muslims are below 35 years and majority of them did not have forced marriage. I think the media overplays such sporadic incidents.

The Asians: UK has the oldest system of transport but during rush hour many people have to travel standing in the buses and trains. What have you planned to ease the situation?

Sadiq Khan: The Labour government has spent a record amount of 150 billion pound sterling to improve transport network during last ten years while another 40 billion pound sterling have been allocated from 2009 to 2011 for the purpose to save travelling time and curtail fair. Number of buses in London had been increased and investment has been made on tubes. Underground lines are being increased and Jubilee line is being extended. The number of Dockland lines is being increased. Eight new stations would be constructed through cross rail where 24-hour rail service would be available. This project would cost 60 million pounds. 5 million pounds would be earmarked for improving bus transport. 10 billion pounds were spent on train system this year. High speed trains would be run from London to Birmingham, Scotland and other routes. However, attention is also being given to end environmental pollution and emission of green house gases emitted by vehicles.

The Asians:  Traffic jams have become a common feature due to potholes and road works. Could you throw some light on the issue?

Sadiq Khan: The most import issue is of road works. There are problems with the companies that supply gas and other utilities. I called all heads of the utility companies to solve these problems. We also consider increasing the fine. Besides, additional fines would be levied per day for the delay.

The Asians: How do you view victory for the BNP in the European parliament?

Sadiq Khan: It was quite unfortunate that the Muslim voters did not cast their votes as two BNP members were elected to the European Parliament. It was only because of our own weakness. Muslim should wake up and join political parties or else we could not expect positive changes.
 
The Asians: What are the chances of success for Labour party in the next elections?
 
Sadiq Khan:  We are fully optimistic about Gordon Brown to become the Prime Minister for the fourth term. Labour party would extend its welfare programme after returning to power. Otherwise we would face the worst government in the shape of Conservatives as it would cut all welfare funding. The Conservatives usually do not believe in welfare of other communities. Equality, Race Relation Act and all other laws were passed by Labour government. It waived off the loans of the under undeveloped countries and doubled their assistance programme.

The Asians:  Your publicity scheme worth 2.3 million pounds for public awareness on traffic accidents due to drugs and alcohol has come under strong criticism. Do you think this scheme would prove successful?

Sadiq Khan: We want to create awareness among the public through advertisement to avoid unnecessary expenditures. Arresting addicts by Policed would generate other problems. To avoid this, publicity campaign has been launched.

The Asians:  What message you would like to give the youth?

Sadiq Khan: They should pay attention to education and remember the poor and needy on festive occasions. I believe in bright future for our children and becoming role models.