Pandering to the Muslim vote, without sufficient attention to the overall attachment of British Muslims to the Sharia, which according to theorists such as Qutb and Maududi (and many others) must ultimately displace the British government and remake its society — as it must also do everywhere — seems to be a bipartisan affair.
From Politics.co.uk, with thanks to Anthony:
Conservative Party leader Michael Howard last night spoke of the “immense” contribution Muslims have made to British life.
Unveiling his party’s new Muslim Forum, Mr Howard said the body had two main remits – to act as a gateway to learn from the Muslim community and to allow Muslim Britons to play “their full part in the Conservative Party – at the highest level”.
Mr Howard said the “economically vibrant, culturally creative, socially aware” British Muslim community enriched modern Britain.
The new forum aimed to “give a formal institutional expression to our ties of friendship and shared values,” he said.
“There are many natural ties, of friendship, common outlook and shared values that unite the Muslim community and the Conservative Party.
“I believe we share a commitment to the integrity of the family, a respect for the wisdom of tradition, an opposition to the drugs culture, social breakdown and crime, a belief in the importance of compassion and the need to help the vulnerable, a commitment to enterprise, hard work and individual ambition.
“And a desire for peace across the globe.”