Friday the 13th

Paris. Terrible events.

Not too long ago I was of the “Muslims don’t do enough to show their opposition to atrocities carried out in the name of Islam” opinion.

I’ve moved quite a bit from that because of various statements made (though not necessarily well publicised), reports of Imams reporting dodgy goings on and people countering why should they apologise/disown etc and we don’t apologise or speak against stuff, so why should they.

But yesterday I got to thinking – and this is very much based on an impression given by the guardian, writers and readers.

If there’s an article about sexism, harassment or rape and some nutjob like Jessica Valenti employs her “men” style rather than “some men” the point is always made that men who don’t do this personally should be more pro-active in helping to stop other men doing it.

Just last week there was an article and blog about should we intervene when someone is being harassed (like those cases on buses recently) and the overwhelming view was that to say or do nothing was not so much supporting the harassment but enabling it.

And this is the opinion from the same body of people who seem to apply a different conclusion when considering a lack – perceived or otherwise – of opposition to ISIS terrorism among other Muslims.

Yesterday there was a video posted in several media outlets of Imams in Paris singing La Marseillaise and I thought “now this is good.” But it was noticeably absent from the Daily Mail website where it might have achieved some good.

So I got to thinking that Muslims are doing stuff but maybe it’s not getting the coverage it should do.

I did a google earlier on “not in my name” and it was very pleasing to see a lot of coverage on how Muslims are opposing ISIS. And very good stuff it is too.

But is it too small a scale? Facebook groups and personal videos posted are all very well, but where’s the more visible opposition?

People say others don’t apologise and others don’t protest. But that’s not true is it.

The “not in my name” didn’t begin with Muslim protest. It’s been used for many years because, for example, people protested invasions and bombings done by the west. Protests have been large and often against the US and the British governments by the American and British people. Think of all those anti Vietnam war demos; the CND marches; the opposition to American weapons on British soil (Greenham women); anti Iraq war protests; opposition to anti-terror laws, Guantanamo...the list is endless.

There are demos, marches etc by people against their own governments. They are very visible. Christ even the anti-abortion crowd stages vigils outside abortion clinics. There’s one almost permanently here in my town.

So, maybe Muslims  do need to do more to distance themselves and show their disapproval. What have they got to lose? What about an equivalent to “wrong trousers” day where they dress ‘normally’ – if only for the purposes of a rally and they get back into traditional gear once it’s done.

If the rest of us can sit in a bath of baked beans, shave our heads or whatever, why can't they do something out of the ordinary to oppose what's being done in the name of their religion.

At the very least such an action might show those idiots who will spit at them or firebomb the mosque that their anger should be used elsewhere.

Is it really too much to ask?