Do we need a British Islam? (BBC Big Questions)

the vast majority of british muslims have integrated fine in British society. its the extreme ones who go OTT and ruin things for us by giving us a dumb label.

nice signature !!!

Thank you.

No we need an Islamic Britain!

totally wrong, and the fact that the point was hotly debated is proof to that : and not only from a purely theoretical point of view, but also a practical one

apostates in the UK can go through very difficult times. Why don't you check with our ex-Muslim members ?

"probably is irrelevant to the 3.5 million Muslims in the UK" = you have no clue what you are talking about. You are making baseless assumptions.

You say regarding apostasy laws "it isn't at all relevant to Muslims in Britain today" but you do not explain how/why this is the case. Could it be that "the unbelievers" would not tolerate "muslims" killing ex muslims who leave islam? Well what about tomorrow, will the islamic apostasy laws be "irrelevant" to an ever growing "muslim" community? Hypothetically, britian could become a nation that is governed completely by sharia law at some point in the future. As khalid mahmood said in condemning "muslims" calling for sharia "you (muslims) can only call for sharia when muslims are predominant ( I can dig up source if needed". The word "predominant" means "greater in number". Your future, or non future as some could argue, will be determined by numbers.

Adam only came to talk about one thing, a thing which the 3.5 million Muslims in the UK are not concerned about because not all of them are intending on becoming apostates..

Apostasy, within the context of the debate, was a tangential point.

The panel and audience were there to discuss whether there could be a British Islam, and not "What shall we do with apostates?".

As the vast majority of Muslims in the UK are not planning on becoming apostates, then yes, it is a topic that is quite irrelevant in their eyes.

apostasy is an important concern for Muslims even if "not all of them are intending to become apostates". As a start, even 10-20% leaving would be quite a shock, I would say... In any case, Muslims go on Islamic webforums and ask abourt apostasy: "my brother is leaving Islam , what should I do ? how should I treat him, what should I say ?"

And, the death penalty for apostasy has a huge symbolic importance : it is an absolute no-no for any person who adheres to our ideals of a secular democracy, and probably the single most shocking feature of Islam

Many Muslims themselves (in my experience) have problems in getting their minds around it so, quite logically, it will be one of the focal points of discussion between conservatives and modernists

The issue is a wide one : how does a religion evolve over time ? what, in a revelation, should be contextualised and what not ? are Shariah rules to take into account changes intervened in contemporary societies, and to what extent ?

so, the debate on apostasy is not only topical, but also highly symbolic

Would a "british islam" include death to apostates? This is the point. If muslims who agree with death to apostates are speaking about a "british islam", you would have to wonder what kind of "british islam" they are desiring. One way to recognize islamists is in how they view apostates. If they are islamists, then you can identify the type of "islam" they desire for britian (authentic islam).So the point is not "tangential" as you claim. I would even say its a fundamental and very revealing point.

No we need an Islamic Britain!

Whilst I appreciate your points, I do not particularly feel it would be beneficial of my time to discuss the best way to flog Adam Deen's dead horse.

best

Yes, he brought up apostasy because it is a crime in some Muslim countries but it isn't at all relevant to Muslims in Britain today.