British Muslims’ Contribution to the Anti-war Movement (2001-2005)

Abstract

This study sheds light on the contribution of the British Muslim community in the antiwar movement that took place in Britain to oppose the wars on Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the British government became America's main partner in declaring «global war on terrorism". The new policies and measures taken to combat terrorism at the local and international levels put a lot of pressure on the Muslim community. When a coalition was formed by peace activists and other politicians from the left to oppose the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq later, Muslim leaders and organizations seized the opportunity to mobilize members of the British Muslim community to take a leading role in the effort to stop an unjust war against two Muslim-majority countries. While the role of Muslims in the campaign against the Afghanistan war was not much visible, their role in organizing marches and demonstrations against the invasion of Iraq was central. The participation of Muslims in the anti-war movement 2001-2005 has had some immense implications for their political activism and their overall standing in the British society.