Sir, in recent months, my identity as a British Muslim student has felt increasingly under siege. The renewed focus on grooming gangs has been alarmingly weaponised to conflate these crimes with Muslims, Pakistanis, and immigrants. Such discussions cannot be reduced to matters of race or religion.
Islam unequivocally condemns all forms of sexual exploitation. As such, anyone who violates the dignity of another human being is acting in complete opposition to Islamic teachings and must be brought to justice, regardless of their ethnicity or religion. Equating the actions of a criminal minority with the wider Muslim community is grossly unfair.
The Home Office’s own research highlights that majority of offenders in group-based child sexual exploitation cases are white and that no community or culture is ‘uniquely predisposed to offending.’ Thus, framing these crimes as a critique of a religion or culture is a gross disservice to victims and distracts from the systemic failures of authorities to hold perpetrators accountable.
Unfortunately, this scapegoating of Muslims feels part of a troubling broader trend. Only a few months ago, the mosque I attended whilst at university was targeted in an attack by violent protestors. Before that, prominent public figures had questioned the loyalty of British Muslim youth. The nation my family sought asylum in, celebrated for its freedoms and fairness, has felt less welcoming and increasingly divided. It pains me deeply to see the country I love and have always admired for its values of justice and inclusivity, becoming increasingly divided.
I still believe in the decency and integrity of the British public’s ability to see through these divisive narratives and recognize them as politically motivated attempts to exploit fear and prejudice. Instead, let us focus on addressing systemic failings, supporting victims, and ensuring that such crimes are never repeated.
Yours,
Malik Fraz Ahmad
Bradford
