English may be a 2nd language because of empire/colonisation
I think English is the most popular choice to learn as a second language, possibly because of the work opportunities in countries where English is the first language.
There are thousands of English language schools spread around many countries.
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Islamaphobia is getting out of control
(764 Posts)We have Braverman and Anderson stirring up the most awful Islamaphobia.
I don’t think that we have ever had British MPs saying such racist and hateful rhetoric since Mosely. They are being backed by the worst sort of editorship. It is so redolent of the 20s and 30s.
Jewish and Christian leaders are calling for it to stop, as well as Tories who see this as a disaster for their party, as it will never ever end well.
Rory Stewart
This idea that “London is in the grip of Islamists” is deluded and it’s awful - an obsession that thrives among a bizarre and dangerous coalition. No conservative MP should ever be spouting this stuff.
Some of them believe we are infidels to be destroyed maddy. Others may be happy to take what Europe and the UK have to offer but despise western values and lifestyles.
Germanshepherdsmum
I agree Iam - but white British people will be in the minority.
And what of black British people? Where do they fit into your theory?
Joseann
I lived bang next to the Regent's Park Mosque when it was first opened, late 1970's. I'm not saying it was a popular addition to the community, but there were certainly no attacks and no protests around it in those days. There were no protection officers and no obvious security or cctv. Infact it existed quietly, (except at prayer time), alongside daily life. No fear, no hostility either way. That was not so very long again.
All I can think is that it is the sheer increase in number if Muslims and their demonstrative behaviour that has give rise to an increase in Islamophobia.
(Not spelt Islamaphobia).
Joseann I lived in Leicester in the 70s and 80s and also remember the first mosques there. As you say they existed quietly and life just carried on as normal. Last time I looked there were nearly 100 mosques in Leicestershire! Whole areas are now off limits which is not how I remember life in the days I lived and worked there.
As Germanshepherdsmum said many people feel outnumbered in their own country and for years have been trying to leave the city and move out to places like Norfolk so they can enjoy the kind of life they were used to.
It’s politicians using racism and xenophobia to get votes that’s causing all of this imo.It got much worse because of the referendum and has just increased since then. Farage and his poster, Sunak and Rwanda etc. Truss is now in America sharing a platform with Bannon who is praising Tommy Robinson.
I am troubled with some of my thoughts of Islam, as a Christian I respect all faiths but fear Islam is taking over the country , the protests in London, surrounding of buildings, storming London Bridge, taking a school headmistress to court
for demands for a prayer room
If you dont address issues then it will boil up somewhere. Lots of people think differently to the opinions on Twitter and other social media.
That’s true Callistemon, and obviously the first language in the UK is English, but interestingly Spanish or Mandarin/Chinese are now being taught in many schools rather than French.
GMS sadly I think you’re right. There would be no reason to kill a hundred people in those awful terrorist attacks in Paris, nor to use a lorry to mow down people in Nice on the promenade, nor to fly planes into the twin towers in New York, nor to blow up little girls in Manchester, nor to blow up tube trains and buses in London, nor to perpetrate the many other terrorist attacks I haven’t mentioned, unless those people who did these vile crimes despised us.
I don’t care what faith or colour people are so long as I’m safe to go about the country of my birth safely. And others of every faith and colour can also do the same.
Germanshepherdsmum
Some of them believe we are infidels to be destroyed maddy. Others may be happy to take what Europe and the UK have to offer but despise western values and lifestyles.
And the vast majority settle down and work, raise their families. Maybe even treat you in hospital. What a cheek.
I am not naive, I know there are people who wish us ill, people who are indoctrinated into believing that the West is evil and that it is their destiny is to destroy us, and yes, it is frightening. What the answer is, I don't know, but I do know that blaming an entire religion for the evil of a minority is not only wrong, it feeds hatred.
maddyone
That’s true Callistemon, and obviously the first language in the UK is English, but interestingly Spanish or Mandarin/Chinese are now being taught in many schools rather than French.
GMS sadly I think you’re right. There would be no reason to kill a hundred people in those awful terrorist attacks in Paris, nor to use a lorry to mow down people in Nice on the promenade, nor to fly planes into the twin towers in New York, nor to blow up little girls in Manchester, nor to blow up tube trains and buses in London, nor to perpetrate the many other terrorist attacks I haven’t mentioned, unless those people who did these vile crimes despised us.
Yes, I have a relative who teaches both. Very sensible.
Sadly, in Wales, Welsh takes priority, so insular!
a friend surprised me by saying 'we are being taken over by asians'. I hadn't even thought about it then.
Well research from the US says right wing terrorism was responsible for most of the terrorist attacks there.
Between 1994 and 2020, there were 893 terrorist attacks and plots in the United States. Overall, right-wing terrorists perpetrated the majority—57 percent—of all attacks and plots during this period, compared to 25 percent committed by left-wing terrorists, 15 percent by religious terrorists, 3 percent by ethnonationalists, and 0.7 percent by terrorists with other motives
www.csis.org/analysis/escalating-terrorism-problem-united-states
The first language in Wales was Welsh but with certain restrictions laid down by English parliament, my grandfather was hit in junior school for speaking Welsh, in Anglesey Welshmen were forbidden to be coastguards and English men
moved to Wales to take these jobs, waste of time because many
married Welsh women! ! !
It is frightening though HousePlantQueen isn’t it? I’m always more aware when we go up to London, and I was very afraid when my daughter and I took her three children up to London for three days when they were over from NZ. My grandson is very anxious and the sights and sounds of London initially were too much for him, and I was very fearful of coming across a pro Palestine protest because it would have really upset him. As it was midweek rather than weekend we saw nothing and our visits to various interesting places in London went smoothly.
But I wonder if people of every creed and colour should have to be afraid of doing everyday activities.
I taught many Muslim children when I was teaching and met some lovely people. One family brought a gift for me when they went on pilgrimage to Mecca. This is how it should be, not fear but cooperation and just getting along together.
Anniebach
The first language in Wales was Welsh but with certain restrictions laid down by English parliament, my grandfather was hit in junior school for speaking Welsh, in Anglesey Welshmen were forbidden to be coastguards and English men
moved to Wales to take these jobs, waste of time because many
married Welsh women! ! !
Yes, a friend's mother was hit and had to wear something round her neck for speaking Welsh at school.
I'm all for keeping the language alive but not at the expense of children learning international languages.
I will vote for Khan and Ulez - I’m not Muslim. Most Londoners aren’t Muslim contrary what some people on here seem to believe. Plus have you heard the Tory candidate. She doesn’t know her a from her elbow.
Callistemon21
^English may be a 2nd language because of empire/colonisation^
I think English is the most popular choice to learn as a second language, possibly because of the work opportunities in countries where English is the first language.
There are thousands of English language schools spread around many countries.
Actually, the best second language to learn, other than English, is German. Sadly, it's one which has been dropped in many schools. My daughter did A Level German and was the only student. There was supposed to be another student from a different school taking it too, but dropped out. They no longer do it. Languages and the arts are NOT a priority in schools.
It depends; German is good if you want a career in technical subjects but Spanish is most widely spoken and Mandarin will be most useful in the future.
I don’t think anyone has suggested that most Londoners are Muslim CoolCoco. But that day will come.
Glorianny
Well research from the US says right wing terrorism was responsible for most of the terrorist attacks there.
Between 1994 and 2020, there were 893 terrorist attacks and plots in the United States. Overall, right-wing terrorists perpetrated the majority—57 percent—of all attacks and plots during this period, compared to 25 percent committed by left-wing terrorists, 15 percent by religious terrorists, 3 percent by ethnonationalists, and 0.7 percent by terrorists with other motives
www.csis.org/analysis/escalating-terrorism-problem-united-states
This is true. Single, white, young men are most likely to go on a rampage/commit acts of terrorism in America. Not Muslims.
And in the UK?
Deaths by terrorism in the Uak what does that look like?
Aveline
I just read something interesting which made me think. Hinduism. These people don't make aggressive claims. No terrorists. They live and let live and generally just get on. Hence there's no Hinduphobia. What is so special about Islam or Judaism that so many demands are made by them?
Ask folk who live in India about that ....
Does anyone remember a particular group of Tories - largely led by the likes of Braverman and her cronies who announced that they intended to fight a cultural war before the election in order to attract the islamophobic vote - they hoped to spread fear.
It is working isn’t it?
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