There’s nothing sinister about Muslims praying | Letters
Letters: Readers respond to negative comments by Conservative and Reform UK politicians following a Ramadan event in Trafalgar Square
As a young British Muslim, I was troubled to see public prayer described as an “act of domination” by the shadow justice secretary, Nick Timothy (Report, 19 March). To characterise a few minutes of prayer in this way is simply unjust. Britain stands for fairness and equal treatment. If other faiths can gather in public spaces, Muslims should be afforded the same right. To single out one community undermines that principle.
Events such as open iftars are not about imposing beliefs, but about bringing people together. We are often encouraged to integrate, yet when Muslims do so visibly and peacefully, they are criticised. Such language and behaviour are deepening division and making Young British Muslims feel unwelcome in their own country.
Sarmad Anwar
Bradford, West Yorkshire
• While I welcome Keir Starmer and senior politicians condemning Nick Timothy’s remarks, the underlying issue remains deeply troubling. There is a clear contradiction in demanding that Muslims “integrate” while condemning them when they visibly participate in public life. Equality cannot be conditional.
If Christians, Jews, Hindus and Sikhs may hold occasional events in Trafalgar Square, Muslims must be afforded the same right. Anything less is discrimination. Peaceful acts such as breaking the fast or offering a short prayer do not amount to domination. There is no evidence of Muslims imposing their beliefs on others. On the contrary, Islam upholds the principle “for you your religion, and for me my religion”.
To portray Islamic practices, including the call to prayer, as threatening is not only false but irresponsible. Such rhetoric fuels division and risks making Muslims targets of abuse. The principle is simple: the law must apply equally to all faiths. Anything else erodes the very foundation of justice.
Dr Maleeha Mansur
Raynes Park, London
• I wonder why the sight of people lined up for prayer at Trafalgar Square seemed unfamiliar to Nick Timothy, as people of other faiths have congregated at the same place for years to mark their religious days. Perhaps his fear of domination arises from a lack of understanding. A prayer is only an act of communion between a believer and God, regardless of whether it’s in private or public.
I feel particularly saddened to see even a remote threat to religious freedom in Great Britain. I had the pleasure of inviting a friend to a recent iftar event in Scunthorpe. She wished to join us in the female prayer area to see how we pray and asked for the translation in English. I gave her a translation of the full salat prayer. I encourage the same for anyone who shares Mr Timothy’s views.
Mariam Sohail
Brigg, Lincolnshire
• While Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage revive old English norms of persecuting minorities, faced by Catholics and Jews for centuries, most British citizens respect religious freedom and tolerance. We need to show which norms we uphold via the ballot box in May.
Titus Alexander
Galashiels, Scottish Borders
• It’s a funny thing how “British values” include monks and nuns praying separately – not to mention wearing weird head coverings and baggy, sexless clothing. It’s only when non-Christians get do it that it becomes controversial.
Sylvia Rose
Totnes, Devon
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