Comments on: Food For Thought: Riz MC’s “Sour Times”

By: Anam_Islam

Anam_Islam — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:31:09 +0000

Sour times..an opinion of a young muslim well educated, famous and quite known for movies like "Britz" or "Guantamano." Many of you disagree with this video, its not directed it at anyone, Rizwan is trying to get his point of view across to people. At such a hard time where muslims were blamed for every bomb that blows. Extremists views does not represent Islam. The Quran represents Islam, so those hating or really think Islam is all bout war, read the Quran and you will inshallah get your answers. Islam has become a scapegoat for the western society. Just like hitler, Bush and Blair took control over what they thought was right however I'm sure its quite obvious that you can see it wasnt. The war on Iraq the millions of pounds wasted on trying to find Osama who disappears out the blue has landed us in Recession. Our economy has gone down because of these idiots who thought it was okay to interfere in "problems" however it was just an excuse to try and get away with Oil industries that these imbiciles knew would be worth alot. And if you guys dont know, let me enlighten you with the fact that it was USA and UK that gave Middle East weapons and trained them to fight and told iraqis iranians and afghans it was right to fight for your country. USA & UK used the Middle East as they were vunerable, the "westerners" gave the Middle East all they needed to push away the USSR and infact told their own citizens to fight with Afghanistan against USSR. Now that our people are figting for their brothers and sisters in Iran Iraq and Afghanistan what is so wrong? Im surprised that USA and UK did not try to butt in with the fight in Israel. The 9/11 attack was a sad traumatic event that many people are going through may they be christians jews MUSLIMS hindus sikhs etc. MUSLIM casualties were found too and til date there are no evidences to proove that MUSLIMS had anything to do with it. The after affects were found in the 7/7 attacks which again was traumatic, however when muslims were already blamed for the 9/11 attacks and already being TERRORISED by the POLICE OFFICERS that were meant to be FAIR but were not why would they still stick for england. At this time Muslims have a right to voice their opinion, when they did they it was not heard (No War In Iraq Protest). At every corner a muslim turned, they were ignored by the FAIR JUSTICE we have in the UK so what more are MUSLIMS meant to do? In order for anyone to take notice action had to be taken. What more can a person take? I dont agree with whatever happened to the innocent here in the United Kingdom and those in USA however, isit really fair to say that its okay for those to get killed in Iraq Iran and Afghanistan when there is no solid proof. There is no sign of Osama it has been 8 years since the attack and none of our highly educated Intelligence team could find him nor could the soldiers. Many protests still take place and many extremists still ahve the upper hand, but has anyone told you that generalising is rong? we are taught in school to never be narrow minded and not have a stereotypical mind but yet were we see a man with a beard on a friday aftanun we jump to the conclusion he would be blowing us up anytime soon? its ok to be scared but not to hate them for being who they are and showing it. Appreciate our multi cultural society which shows in the video many many people from different backgrounds agree with Rizwans opinion! Is there really a reason why many people are so rapidly accepting Islam? In a way these post 9/11 and 7/7 traumas has affected Islam ina good way where people are reading bout Islam and really finding out what its really about. Where sikhs and indians are generalised for being terrorists, many muslims are also taken us bollywood lovers..but thats more accosicated with Indians not Muslims but hey... Where many people are being innocently killed there are many innocently tortured. Where is the jutice now? what more can a person do then protest?

BNP SIOE and many other groups are going to be demonstrating their insecurity of Islam's growing popularity. They believe that many mosques allow extremist lectures, on the 11th September from 1pm to 6pm during Ramadhan on a Friday they will be demonstrating outside Harrow Masjid opposite Harrow civic centre. Now u tell me isit fair to disturb Muslims on a holy day where jumma is held especially during Ramadhan the holiest month of the Islamic calender? lets see what you lots have to say about that.. btw its just like us Muslims demonstrating against Christians on a Sunday or for the jews on a saturday or for the Indians during the day krishna was born etc

If anyone tht feels this is wrong and would like to help support the muslims then please do come along. You can google Harrow Mosque and all the details of where it is will come up. I would also like to thank all those non muslims that do understand what the muslims are going through, its nice knowing not everyone has a stereotypical mind.

P.S what Media represents is not the truth so do not take it as the truth..use your OWN mind..

By: wunderbar

wunderbar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:18:55 +0000

I think the song is lame. Thanks for posting it.

By: La India Berkeley

La India Berkeley — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:44:25 +0000

I think this song is brilliant. Thanks for posting it.

By: deemz

deemz — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:35:53 +0000

No. I'm serious. There's a huge interest in the West right now of ancient traditions, of which Islam fits in with that. They could play up the Sufism for good measure. Why not? Its counter-cultural but mainstream enough for recognition and profit.

It IS in line with conservative values.

I don't think those interested in militant Islam want to be mainstream or associated with any kafir groups and definitely do not want to be viewed as a non-threat.

By: Muslim Question

Muslim Question — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:25:37 +0000

Hahaha, you can't be serious. Because that doesn't appeal to them. It has nothing to do with their identity, their history, and isn't antagonistic enough with the western world. Definitely not angry nor in line with their conservative values rooted in their cultural traditions.

It IS in line with conservative values.

By: deemz

deemz — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:24:58 +0000

Yeah but there's a whole sub-culture that has crossed over into the mainstream now of alternative new age types that they could hook up with if they don't agree with the consumerist culture of the West.

They could collaborate with Deepak Chopra and a whole host of other holistice/wellness/new age spiritualists. They could join PETA.

They don't have to assimilate with mainstream consumerist culture but they could hop on board with the alternative types. Why aren't they doing that?

Hahaha, you can't be serious.

Because that doesn't appeal to them. It has nothing to do with their identity, their history, and isn't antagonistic enough with the western world. Definitely not angry nor in line with their conservative values rooted in their cultural traditions.

By: Suki Dillon

Suki Dillon — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:54:12 +0000

So I can understand where the anger and appeal to attack westerners comes from....it's a mix of stuff: islam, the era, disaffected youth, jealousy/hatred of the success of the west and its arguable greed/gluttony, dissatisfaction with the materialistic/consumerist culture of the modern world, etc.

You just gave a good reason why western countries should look at there immigration system when it comes to immigrants from muslim countries.

By: Muslim Question

Muslim Question — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:30:47 +0000

i think the angst that muslims, and in particular pakistani muslims, in the uk have is rooted in bridging cultures and values that are worlds apart. the majority of pakistani muslims in the uk descend largely from rural villagers from northern punjab and azad kashmir that migrated to the NW cotton mill towns to do labour work. Those times have passed and a new generation is on the come up, one having been born and brought up in the uk by uneducated often illiterate parents, yet still maintaining very strong ties to the motherland. They grew up as the underclass in the UK, and because of tight communities, religious observances (namely no drinking, no dating, etc.), and the blue-collar rilvarly with groups that they were taking their jobs never really integrated with whites. There's clearly some identity issues here. So I think Militant Islam appeals to some of these youth because it provides an identity separate from that of being an "indian"/paki FOB or a totally westernized wanna-be gora. As militant Islam grew in Pakistan during and after the Afghan-USSR conflict, its influence spilled over to the UK. Remember this was a conflict that was framed by many as the pious Mujahadeen taking on the big bad bully known as the USSR and defeating them, so it obviously appealed to masses of muslims all over the world who may have felt like losers for having to immigrate to western countries that arguably have been involved in exploiting their own nations (historically or presently) to make a living, etc. And also there's the fantasy of becoming an enemy of the state that has an adventurous appeal to it. I mean with the alternatives being a doctor, lawyer, engineer, taxi driver, etc. *yawn* boring. To be willing to die for something is a very powerful thing, even more than being willing to live for something. So I can understand where the anger and appeal to attack westerners comes from....it's a mix of stuff: islam, the era, disaffected youth, jealousy/hatred of the success of the west and its arguable greed/gluttony, dissatisfaction with the materialistic/consumerist culture of the modern world, etc. Basically it boils down to anger, justified or not, that's what it is, and it will keep growing.

They could collaborate with Deepak Chopra and a whole host of other holistice/wellness/new age spiritualists. They could join PETA.

They don't have to assimilate with mainstream consumerist culture but they could hop on board with the alternative types. Why aren't they doing that?

By: deemz

deemz — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:13:59 +0000

so clearly not as simple as riz ahmed’s take on it…but it’s just a song

By: deemz

deemz — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:10:46 +0000

i think the angst that muslims, and in particular pakistani muslims, in the uk have is rooted in bridging cultures and values that are worlds apart. the majority of pakistani muslims in the uk descend largely from rural villagers from northern punjab and azad kashmir that migrated to the NW cotton mill towns to do labour work. Those times have passed and a new generation is on the come up, one having been born and brought up in the uk by uneducated often illiterate parents, yet still maintaining very strong ties to the motherland. They grew up as the underclass in the UK, and because of tight communities, religious observances (namely no drinking, no dating, etc.), and the blue-collar rilvarly with groups that they were taking their jobs never really integrated with whites. There's clearly some identity issues here.

So I think Militant Islam appeals to some of these youth because it provides an identity separate from that of being an "indian"/paki FOB or a totally westernized wanna-be gora. As militant Islam grew in Pakistan during and after the Afghan-USSR conflict, its influence spilled over to the UK. Remember this was a conflict that was framed by many as the pious Mujahadeen taking on the big bad bully known as the USSR and defeating them, so it obviously appealed to masses of muslims all over the world who may have felt like losers for having to immigrate to western countries that arguably have been involved in exploiting their own nations (historically or presently) to make a living, etc. And also there's the fantasy of becoming an enemy of the state that has an adventurous appeal to it. I mean with the alternatives being a doctor, lawyer, engineer, taxi driver, etc. yawn boring. To be willing to die for something is a very powerful thing, even more than being willing to live for something.

Basically it boils down to anger, justified or not, that's what it is, and it will keep growing.