Now that Article 50 for Brexit has been triggered, there is a need for an honest debate around immigration, how it should be managed, its impact on our families, on public services, housing and so on. The anti-immigration sentiments need to be placed in a comparative context, and should not be used as a tool to create further divisions between communities or fuel hatred towards others.
Our strength as a nation lies in our values of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for others.
These values have stood the test of time. It is these values that will help us to defeat violence and build a cohesive society where people of all faiths and none feel safe and loved.
They say that in times of crisis you find out who people really are. In our response to the appalling tragedies that have happened, we found out something about who we, the British people, are. We are resilient, welcoming and embracing of others.
Post the triggering of Brexit, we must stay true to our values, and show how strong we can be- morally, socially and economically - when we stand together.
Qari Muhammad Asim MBE
Chief Imam, Makkah Masjid
