Muslims Don’t Matter
The stark words projected onto Firth Hall’s wall feel like something you’d see from the far-right, not a respected politician and Britain’s first Muslim member of the Cabinet. But for Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, “overwhelmed and exhausted” by the direction of travel in politics and Britain in general, she’s had enough.
Warsi’s second book, Muslims Don’t Matter, shares her personal reflections on where we are as a nation and how we treat our own citizens, following friends and even herself considering whether it was time to leave and head to a different country. Reflecting on the racist riots of the summer, Warsi feels as if she has to “make the case for why British Muslims are an integral part” of our communities, and having to “fight for the right to stay in [her] own country”. As poignant as it is sobering, Baroness Warsi’s Off The Shelf event is not a warning as much a big alarm bell, which she makes clear has been ringing for quite some time.
There were two main topics that Warsi covered that particularly struck me, namely the case of Shamima Begum and the current War on Palestine. Beginning with Begum, Warsi decried her treatment by the former government, who stripped her of British citizenship following her decision to go to Syria to join the terrorist organisation ISIS. Warsi was clear and resolute that this decision was simply wrong, regardless of the circumstances, and evaluated it succinctly but with incredible power: “She may be a villain, she may be a victim, but she’s ours”.
Following her talk and asked by an audience member about the conflict in the Middle East, Warsi shattered all preconceived notions as to what her answer may be. Until recently holding the Conservative whip in the House of Lords, a polished party line may have been expected, but Warsi took a very different approach.
“If I can’t stop this, it won’t happen on my watch”, said Warsi about her decision to resign from the Cabinet in 2014 over a previous siege of Gaza, and made it clear where she stands now: “We have a country that has gone rogue under Netanyahu…we will live to regret this…Netanyahu is a dangerous man”. Such strong words have been sorely lacking in mainstream U.K. political discourse surrounding the latest war on Gaza, and hearing her speak so soundly, reflected by the thunderous applause she received, was a moment of unity in the event, from the Conservative peer, to her Liberal Democrat husband, present Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed and many others.
Before Baroness Warsi’s talk began, I was asked by my neighbour, having seen me and the other people in the room why there weren’t more young people at events such as this. I told him I believed it was due to a lack of awareness about the event among younger communities, but also the general reaction of many people towards Conservative politicians.
But Baroness Warsi’s event felt distinct. It felt different to the Conservative figures we often seen portrayed in the media. Her powerful book, compounded by her powerful words made for a particularly interesting event, unrivalled by nearly any other. Warsi left everyone with plenty to consider, and much to do to demand better of our elected representatives in fighting for a fairer and more just society.
“Say what you believe in, and do what you say”
Rating: ★★★★★
Muslims Don’t Matter was published in October 2024. Other Off the Shelf Festival events can be found here
