Sadiq Khan - London Mayor Candidacy

[agchristie]

Should it matter that the London Mayor is a Muslim?

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/01/moderate-sadiq-khan-london-mayor-muslim-labour

[agchristie]

Baz > wonder how long before he starts showing his muslim bias

Aha! The first sign of angst! Baz, if he spoke out against radical Islam regularly would that be a problem?

[agchristie]

Ric.ror > I would have thought he was 'the right kind' of Muslim

To many people, they would not know what you mean.

[sandyRoe]

To use the words of Mrs T, 'Is he one of us?'. I believe he is.

[naomi24]

I imagine the majority of the huge Muslim population of London will vote for him and perhaps expect special considerations from him. Should he be elected, his willingness to accede to their potential expectations remains to be seen.

[bazwillrun]

exactly naomi..and the amount of vote fraud by muslims to get "their man" in will be enormous ...you can bet your last pound on it !

[Ric.ror]

I mean as opposed to the wrong kind - hooky etc
He seems like a nice enough bloke and I would not have any qualms voting for him. I don't think he could be any worse than the Buffon they have in at the moment

[agchristie]

Naomi > Should he be elected, his willingness to accede to their potential expectations remains to be seen.

So, the potential does exist for a form of 'guilt by association' a term used by Mehdi Hassan, albeit in another light.

If he does succeed, he has a very difficult balancing act to perform.

[agchristie]

Ric,ror > I mean as opposed to the wrong kind - hooky etc

My original comments apply. Not being difficult by the way, I'm merely pointing out that many people have their own ideas and don't distinguish between 'a right or wrong kind' of Muslim.

[agchristie]

Some of Mr Khan's aims:

Mr Khan also promises to be no Corbyn “patsy” if he wins office, dubbing the Labour leader’s stance on Trident “wrong” and warning that questioning the police’s right to shoot to kill terrorists could have “huge” negative consequences.

The Labour candidate also opens up about fears he has for his teenage daughters over online radicalisation and demands ministers shut down internet providers being used to promote extremism.

[anotheoldgit]

Could anything be learned from this Muslim Birmingham councillor of 33 years standing who is also set to become their future Lord Mayor.

http://www.express.co.uk/comment/expresscomment/639399/Muslim-leader-Britain

/// This year the council honoured Afzal at the age of 72 by choosing him as the next Lord Mayor, a decision designed to send a positive message of equality and opportunity to the city’s 234,000 Muslims. ///

[agchristie]

AOG, blimey!

Although it would be unfair to compare Mr Khan with the chap in your link, it nevertheless raises a question in some people's minds about the suitability an trust of Muslims in public office.

[anotheoldgit]

agchristie

/// I'm merely pointing out that many people have their own ideas and don't distinguish between 'a right or wrong kind' of Muslim. ///

The problem being how does one distinguish the difference?

Do we accept them all as the right kind of Muslim until some amongst them show they are the wrong kind by committing an act of terrorism, as they are prone to do?

Not being a gambling man, I wouldn't care to gamble.

[viv41]

Yes.

[Ric.ror]

I think nice suit = good
Hooks for hands or burqa = bad

Is that too simplistic?

[agchristie]

Ric.ror, by your definition it is in my view. A terrorist act could easily committed by a suited man holding a briefcase.

[agchristie]

AOG - fair point, you don't judge a book by it's cover as I've just demonstrated to ric.ror!

[THECORBYLOON]

ANOTHEOLDGIT, if you are not prepared to gamble that a Muslim is not a terrorist, do you ask every person you come into contact with if they are a Muslim?

[sp1814]

Nice to see the vast majority of responders to this question have decided that it shouldn't make any difference.

I think it should be determined on his fitness for office and nothing else.

Of course there will be some who will look for evidence of wrong-doing by other Muslim leaders, whilst conveniently ignoring any work done by Muslims who do positive public work. However,mthese are the kind of people who judge people on their race, sexuality and gender before anything else - so...pinch of salt time.

[anotheoldgit]

THECORBYLOON

/// ANOTHEOLDGIT, if you are not prepared to gamble that a Muslim is not a terrorist, do you ask every person you come into contact with if they are a Muslim? ///

One doesn't necessarily have to, they are recognisable by their presence.

[agchristie]

TCL - The German Government can lose over a million migrants so it's hard to place any bets at all if one wanted!