The honest sad path to cohesion?

Last night I attended an important public talk at the impressive Birmingham City University Curzon Building. A rabbi Margaret Jacobi, a bishop David Urqhuart, a criminologist Imran Awan, a human rights lawyer Prof John Yorke and a politician Baroness Warsi scrutinised what Independent Terrorism Legislation Reviewer David Anderson QC has flagged up as a potential clash between the government`s counter extremism and freedom of religious and political expression. I am adding to this to emphasise that whilst the next paragraph contains some aspects of the long discussion that saddened me, the majority was positive & hopeful. I believe that all the panellists participated in order to pursue cohesion. I have chosen to discuss points of difference in the hope that progress can be made in future discussions. My first draft dissappointed Imran Awan who I respect, but it is reasonable that some disagreements make us sad until better solutions are found.

It was a really healthy debate. I do not think that I endorse some of Salma Yaqoob`s views on Israel/Palestine conflict resolution, but her rhetoric was an impressive and necessary contribution. I was a little disturbed by what sounded like jeering when someone mentioned the think tank Quilliam. They come across as progressive, thoughtful and liberal, but the anger towards them seemed palpable. In fact Maajid Nawaz` latest daily beast blog on Israel/Palestine is so impressive because of its rarity as a balanced publication on the conflict. I also felt uncomfortable when the first question from the audience angrily talked about Zionism and the multi faith panel in my opinion did not show enough solidarity with the Rabbi panellist when she said that she thought Jews have the right to life in Israel/Palestine.

The healthiest impressions that I had were that people in Birmingham could freely criticise the government, express fear for their religions and even satirise the idea that the PREVENT duty asks the optometrist looking in your eyes to counter terrorism in case he spots the wrong kind of glint. I do not say this lightly. We must hold on to these freedoms and any new legislation must have safeguards for future talks like this. 

Baroness Warsi did request corrections when she talked about warning teenagers in her family about the dangers of joining ISIS. In my naivete I thought that such talks would be unnecessary and I was publicly reprimanded for asking if it was hyperbolic rhetoric or an actual event. I apologise Baroness Warsi, I was naive and did not want to offend. However, I think that this gap between us is important to reflect on. Perhaps white british non-Muslim's like me need to listen more to Baroness Warsi. Perhaps these `ISIS talks` by mums are far more important than public servants looking for the wrong glint in a pupil or patient`s eyes. I say this in all seriousness.

Whatever the case Birmingham should be proud that it is holding talks that seek cohesion rather than conflict. I thank the organisers and audience, but I also encourage sadness when cohesion is too strained from my perspective.