How exactly did the Times manage to discern that the children in question were believers.
The Times has a strange, scaremongery headline on its front page today warning (at least it comes across like a warning) of a ‘Rise in Muslim birthrate as families feel British’.
This is the sort of thing one expects from the likes of the Daily Mail and Express, so it feels rather strange to see it pasted across the front page of a respectable organ like the Times.
Without trying to guess the ‘motive’ of the paper’s headline writers, there is another problem with this article quite apart from it blurring the distinction between news and scaremongering about ‘birthrates’.
In the opening paragraph of the ‘story’, the Times says the following:
“Almost a tenth of babies and toddlers in England and Wales are Muslim, a breakdown of the census figures shows.”
What on earth is a “Muslim baby”?
What I mean to say is, can we not at least wait until a child is old enough to make their own mind up before we try to deduce with strand of theology they adhere to? I very much doubt it would be ok to write about Communist babies and Tory babies; so why, then, is it ok to do so with religion?
This sort of thing is not unique to Islam of course; and I can already hear the counter argument: that the children in question are ‘culturally’ Muslim rather than necessarily believers.
Again, though, if it is about culture rather than religion, would it be acceptable to label babies in this fashion based on the political ‘culture’ of their parents? I very much doubt it.
And anyway, in the third paragraph the Times has the following to say:
“One expert said it was foreseeable that Muslims who worshipped would outnumber practising Christians.”
So it isn’t about culture at all, but rather refers to practicing, worshipping and believing religion.
In which case I’d like to know how exactly the Times managed to discern that the children in question were believers.
To reach hundreds of thousands of new readers and to make the biggest impact we can in the next general election, we need to grow our donor base substantially.
That's why in 2024, we are seeking to generate 150 additional regular donors to support Left Foot Forward's work.
We still need another 124 people to donate to hit the target. You can help. Donate today.
25 Responses to “What exactly is a ‘Muslim baby’?”
Ross Aitken
James, there is a debate to be had regarding the large numbers of immigrants to this country , our heritage in the UK stems from a judeo/christian background muslim immigrants to this country are tending to have a large amount of children (hence the Times article) there is nothing strange or scaremongery about it thats what the fourth estate is all about.
Mark
There only only babies born to muslim parents, or to use your example, communist parents. Are you entirely sure you want to make a comparison to politics here?
KLARTEXTEN!
U dont need to wait until the child has grown up. Cos all statistics show that practically everybody remains muslims.
edward bentfield
Of course. Read the Koran -Islam IS political. And many Muslims who take it literally, are those who turn to Islamic Fascism. Don’t take my word for it -read what the British EX-Muslims have to say on the subject of Islam. http://www.cebm.net/
edward bentfield
Herod? (if there’s room for humour here)