Hussein Shobokshi
The British capital experienced an exciting and historical moment when the victory of Sadiq Khan was announced for the position of the Mayor of London. He thus becomes the first British Muslim to attain this position, the first Muslim to achieve the position of mayor of a major European capital.
This news of Khan, an immigrant of Pakistani origin and son of a bus driver, is a moment of great relief amid a wave of bad news and acts of racism against Muslim refugees and immigrants from African, Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
Racist acts were adopted by different political leaders during electioneering, however, the voice of the wise prevailed to prove that London city is the biggest “smelter” of civilization, culture and communities, an example of “practical” coexistence and tolerance and acceptance.
This is a similar moment when Barack Obama came to power at the White House as the first president of African origin, which was regarded as a major shift in coexistence and tolerance.
Peoples and nations go through different stages of social, political, economic maturity. These stages are fundamental to move from theoretical to real practical ideas.
These communities have the capacity of trust and in-depth self-criticism and then develop and learn from mistakes, instead of repugnancy and reluctance of absolute denial.
This type of social achievements in the political template, sports or economics all serve in the reformation of societies and the removal of racial thoughts and practices, which are hysterically horrible.
These practices are usually justified and its status within the religious framework. On the other hand, some political views were adopted that racial discrimination and segregation are “normal” practices and the law of nature.
All these views are only cheap means of action that are demeaning to justify hatred crimes against the other. The Western communities are trying to confront this menace (sometimes they succeed and at times fail but they are trying to curb its growth) through legislation, regulations and laws and policies that state aloud that racial discrimination is a crime.
What is noticeable (but expected) is the world’s acceptance with joy the swearing in of Sadiq Khan as the first Muslim Mayor of London, while it opened a sewer in the Arab world as they wanted to know the identity of the man whether he is a Sunni or a Shiite. This fact is important to them, not the achievement and the influential position that he has achieved.
The question of acceptance, coexistence and tolerance is not a luxury or academic effort but these are the principles to be applied continuously, and these are the ethical standards, which come to complete the divine religious.
