Wishing You a Happy, Prosperous & Pious New Year
Britain is a multicultural, multifaith and multiethnic society. According to the 2021 census, there are 19 ethnic groups, 9 faiths and dozens of cultures. Around 82% of Britons are White, while 18% belong to Black, Asian, Mixed or other ethnic groups. Such diversity can pose challenges, such as how can we coexist peacefully despite different beliefs, customs, and traditions? But by and large, we succeed, though the occasional disruption like last summer’s riots ignited by a tiny group of extremists – reminds us there’s work to do.
At Karimia Institute, our HumanKind project strengthens trust among communities. We regularly publish advertisements in the Nottingham Post to promote goodwill and convey a unified message during the New Year and other significant times throughout the year.
Life may be complicated, but we often reduce it to pairs: family and work, life and death, loneliness and love, hope and despair. To navigate these, I recommend following these 3 steps:
- Affirm and don’t deny: Uphold and stick with family and friends even when it’s difficult.
- Choose hope and not despair: Be positive and upbeat even if it is naive, it’s better than being hopeless.
- Practice kindness and not indifference: Show empathy and assist those in need, apathy is harmful.
This cartoon can be interpreted through the lens of community cohesion and trust by highlighting how different groups (in this case, dogs and cats) have long-standing differences, yet still coexist in shared spaces. The humour in the cartoon draws attention to the biases or preferences one group may hold against another, reflecting the subtle dynamics present in diverse communities.
In a broader sense, the cartoon playfully suggests that even if individuals (or groups) do not always enjoy or understand the experiences of others, participating and engaging with different perspectives is part of fostering unity. The fact that the dogs attended a performance about cats, despite their disinterest, mirrors how communities benefit from exposure to different cultures, interests, or viewpoints, ultimately building mutual respect and understanding.
When faced with a different culture, faith, or perspective we do the same. We put up mental barriers before we’ve even tried to understand. Ask yourself:
- Am I open to new connections?
- How do I react to unfamiliar situations?
- Do I build walls or bridges?
- Do I tune in or out?
- Am I curious?
Allah says in The Majestic Quran, “People, We created you from a male and female; then made you into different races and tribes so you may know each other. The most honourable in the sight of Allah is the most mindful of Allah, the Knower, the Aware” (Hujurat: 13). This verse rejects the idea of superiority based on race, lineage or social status, instead teaching that true honour and worth in the sight of Allah come from mindfulness (Taqwa) and righteousness. It serves as a reminder that Allah is fully aware of our inner qualities and actions, reinforcing the idea that true value lies in piety and good conduct, not external distinctions.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably already open-minded. By exploring the five questions above, we can conquer prejudices and meet modern challenges. I personally find comfort in faith, in Allah’s abiding love, trust in our democracy and law, and in people’s sense of justice. While extremists and far-right groups are a small minority, we must challenge them, encourage reform and if they refuse, firmly condemn their actions. As a God-fearing community, let’s promote the peace-loving message of Islam, show loyalty to our country and continuously pray for Britain’s peace and prosperity.
