Young Muslims in the UK…

According to a recent report, in 2003 8% or 6095 of the prison population were Muslim (Islamophobia: Issues, Challenges and Action). Muslims comprise less than 3% of the UK population, making the number in prison disproportionate to the total population. Most of these are not terror suspects, but common criminals. The single most important reason is the number of young Muslims involved in drugs offences. This, coupled with low educational attainment, particularly among young men, paints a depressing picture of the state of young Muslims in the UK.

What accounts for this depressing state of affairs? I don’t think it is possible to pinpoint a single reason. Low educational achievement could have something to do with lack of parental involvement and interest in the education of their children. This in turn could be related to the fact that in many cases parents are themselves semi-literate. However, this is only partly true. In many cases, uneducated parents have been determined to ensure their children are able to exploit the ample opportunities for education and training in the UK and have a better life. It is easy to blame the system for failing Muslims, but I disagree. If the system is to blame, why do many young people from the same deprived communities do well academically? It should also be added that there is some variation depending on country of origin. Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, most of whom are Muslim, do worse than others.

It might be tempting to say that we have a ready explanation for why many of these youngsters slide into crime. They live in deprived communities and have very little education: an ideal environment for breeding crime. To some extent, yes. Crime does thrive in deprived areas where there are few employment opportunities. At one time, factories and mills provided ready opportunities for unskilled labourers. In many areas, these industries have not been replaced by the high skilled companies of the new economy, thereby leaving a dangerous void. However, not all young people from these communities go into a life crime.

I lay some of the blame for criminal and thuggish behaviour at the door of parents. Many of them just don’t know what their kids are up to. Many think their kids are at college. There may be a cultural issue here as well. Cultural ignorance and naivety may prevent parents knowing what their children do outside the home. Traditional values, which stressed hard work and commitment to the family, are now breaking down.