“I am a proud Londoner”

The 2011 Census concluded the most ethnically diverse region in England and Wales was London, where 40.2% of residents identified with either the Asian, Black, Mixed or Other ethnic, a city so rich in culture and diversity. Despite the welcoming feeling, you may encounter in London, my experience out of London differs. There’s this universal feeling Muslims face when they come across the England flag, what would seem to be a harmless national flag to many, tends to connote racism and unease. Whenever I see the England flag, I try my best to avoid the area or at least hurry past. This is common when I’m out of London and that’s because many don’t look like me. When leaving the city, I must consider do people look like me there? Is there halal food nearby? Will I be safe?

I once travelled to Wales, and I could not believe how different it was. As I walked through the streets in Wales, I turned, and I saw the England flag cascading the windows of many homes. Immediately I felt a sense of unease, I began looking around in hopes I would see someone who resembled me, someone who could put my worries at ease., I felt an immediate rush of thoughts. I questioned if I was safe, I did not know what to think. Growing up the only time an England flag was acceptable and normal was during the world cup. At that moment I was unapologetically British, but on a normal day, I am ashamed to be just that.

 I begin my exploration with growing up Muslim in a western country with a young Bengali Muslimah who lived just a mere 20 minutes away from me but grew up in a different environment yet shared a similar journey of growth and faith. 

I start by speaking to Nasima, she explained that “Growing up Muslim was pretty easy” She went on to discuss that she grew up in Tower Hamlets, the hub of Bengalis where the majority were also were British Muslim’s. She said “I always saw people who resembled me, so I did not feel like I didn’t belong. I would say it was when I was 19 and I got a job and left my borough that I finally was able to integrate with other people, I was exposed to others’ beliefs and their way of life, and it did not alarm me. I found it easy to adjust and adapt” 

According to data collected in 2018 reported by The Standard, the number of Islamophobic hate crimes in London had increased by about 40% in the last year. 

In the year ending January 2018, there were 1,678 anti-Muslim hate crimes registered in the capital, up from 1,205 the previous year. 

Why is it that London seems to also have soaring Islamophobic attacks, yet I still feel that little bit safer here? 

“I understood sisterhood”

This led me to further interview a young Muslimah named Sara who moved to London for university from a predominantly white and secular area. Sara discussed that “it was a pretty big jump, but it was the best choice I made. Growing up in Kent meant the majority of people I lived near were white, majority of school kids were white, and if they weren’t they were probably whitewashed for me.” It was no denying she felt “a little bit like a sore thumb amongst the rest” She went on to tell me she didn’t find it easy making friends because everyone didn’t understand why she held onto her faith so strongly. 

However, all soon changed when she came to London “I came to Westminster university and I found who I was, I joined the Islamic Society and I finally found my group of people, I understood sisterhood and I understood true love between friends when I met them.” What a beautiful start to the rest of her life, she also mentioned I” was tired of going for the veggie option at Nando’s, I wanted a cheek nandus and now I finally have that. What’s better, Muslim sisterhood or halal Nando’s? Who knows all I know is I enjoy both very much? “

“spiritual awakening”

I also spoke to a young woman by the name of Derya, Derya explored her relationship with religion, she grew up with an English mother, so religion was not enforced, she still believed in Allah but struggled with practising. She went on to say “had a lot of Muslim friends if anything they were the only friends I had and I kept, I was very mindful around them, it was also fascinated in how they kept up with faith despite being so young, I wasn’t used to it” It did not always dawn on me the different lived experiences of Muslims in the West, I assumed many of us just faced the same struggled but Deya showed me it was much more than that. After years went by Derya discussed life came to a halt during college, she had a “spiritual awakening,” With joy, she exclaimed “It was the best decision I made, Islam has taught me peace, it has provided me with a sense of unity between God and me. She also commented she would get the odd comment asking: how can I have a white mum if I’m Muslim? She lastly went on to say the most beautiful words, “Islam takes you on a journey, there will sometimes be sudden halts and turns but one thing is for sure, my journey will continue, and I can’t wait to explore it more.” 

Upon these discussions, I realised I’m proud of where I come from, and I’m even prouder being a Londoner. 

From a very young age, I was educated and exposed to different cultures and religions, it had taught me to be a tolerant and open mind. I began to find myself adapting to my environments and learning more and more about others and myself. it was a merge of African, Turkish and Asian heritage where I grew up My friends and I share different cultures and even religions, but we’ve always been very understanding and sincere in how we dealt with our cultures. Upon hearing my good news my Christian friends would congratulate me using “Alhamdulillah’s” (praise be to God) and “Subhan Allah” (Glory be to Allah) and when hearing about my goals and aspirations would respond with “Insha’Allah” (God Willing). 

Despite the odd look on the train, I’d get after a supposed Muslim terror attack, it is usually an enjoyable experience for me in London, but it is important to remember the experience differs for many of us out there, It is important to remember those who suffer in silence when attacked, those who truly suffer the burden of British and American airstrikes, those who question every day if it will be safe. Despite my lived experience, my heart goes to those living in terrible conditions, those who don’t have the freedom I have in the West, we mustn’t forget our Muslims across the sea, 2001, the year that truly changed the lives of Muslims. I am never proud to be British, Britain has done nothing for me as a Muslim, but I am a proud Londoner, further to this statement I am a proud Muslimah in ends.