Letter: Positive impressions of Muslim tolerance
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: How refreshing it was to hear berated the intolerance which the liberal establishment shows towards Muslims ('A new Islam for the West', 14 February). As someone who has worked overseas for lengthy periods in two Muslim countries (Morocco and Brunei), I never experienced any equivalent to the cultural jingoism of the British intelligentsia; on the contrary, I was struck by the tolerance that Muslims showed towards foreigners who were generally much better paid than themselves.
The impressions I had of the influence of Islam on social behaviour were generally positive: it placed constraints on certain types of behaviour which are accepted as either anti-social or taboo in many cultures, for example, theft, sexual infidelity and drunkenness. As regards personal behaviour, it encouraged acceptance of - rather than anger or frustration towards - all types of everyday problems: financial, political or in terms of personal and family relationships, and it gave a type of inner resilience that I found increased the level of outer confidence. In short, it gave a sense of peace.
Since I worked in these Muslim countries as a teacher in mixed schools, I was in a good position to observe the influence on young people and the relationships between the sexes; it seemed to me that constraints on public display of sexuality in fact enhanced desire rather than reduced it.
Women take an active part in both private and public life, with full involvement in the professions, and generally appear to be better cared for, playing a central role in family life, and, as a result, are more loved than many of their Western equivalents.
However, I think the most beneficial effect I noticed was that the fasting month of Ramadan seems to create a sense of social purpose and unity which is sadly absent in our individualistic and competitive society; it also ensures a rejection of consumer values for at least part of the time, and that appears to be no bad thing for mind, body or soul.
Yours sincerely,
JONATHAN CHARTERIS-BLACK
Guildford,
Surrey
15 February
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments