Broken Britain is devastating the lives of the weak and vulnerable

Three news reports this week alone have highlighted the brutal consequences of Britain’s broken society.

On Wednesday, David Askew, 64, who had learning difficulties was found dead outside his house after confronting several youths who had been tormenting him earlier in the day. It has been revealed that Mr Askew had been a victim of so-called anti-social behaviour for over 10 years. In Greater Manchester, 13-year-old Poppy Bracey was found hanged in her bedroom. Police and council officials were looking into allegations Poppy was being bullied in the run up to the death. And in Glasgow, a family of Russian asylum seekers threw a large wardrobe from a high rise council block - to break the installed anti-suicide netting - before they jumped to their death. The fact that anti-suicide netting was installed is an indication that they were not the only people in the vicinity who were considered to be in danger of finding their lives intolerable.

The deaths are deeply troubling.

They might be unusual but they represent something VERY common – teenage bullying, anti-social behaviour against the elderly, and hostility to immigrants. These are not isolated events but part and parcel of everyday life in Britain today. According to this week’s report by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary Denis O'Connor, there were 3.6m reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in 2008/09 – probably half the actual number as most go unreported for fear of retribution.

In today’s Britain, individualism has increased to the extent that people are isolated and alone; freedom has evolved from freedom to speak, to freedom to insult and now freedom to persecute the old, disabled, young and immigrants – amongst the most vulnerable in society – who have to bear the brunt of unfettered individualism.

When we, as Muslims, hold a mirror to society, not to gloat but to invite debate on the failed secular values that produce such brutal consequences, people criticise us for speaking out. However, unless we speak out and illustrate the link between the values and their rotten fruits in society there is little chance for people - with integrity and a sense of justice - to begin to protect their communities from harm.

As Muslims these examples illustrate the need for us to secure noble Islamic values in our families and community and immunise our young from individualism and freedom gone mad – so that our youth do not add to the troubles of this broken society.

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

“And We have sent you (O Muhammad {saw}) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists)." [TMQ Al-Anbiya 21:107]

Source: HTB
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