the message board for Dubai English speaking community
Facts, not fantasies.)
shafique wrote:That's why my parents refer to themselves as 'only' British and I'm English (born and bred). Try and keep up BM, really
Cheers,
Shafique
U.S. Muslims: Americans First?
Asked whether they think of themselves first as an American or first as a Muslim, a 47% plurality of U.S. Muslims say they consider themselves Muslims first; 28% say they think of themselves first as Americans. In
May 2006, when U.S. Christians were asked a parallel question, 42% said they think of themselves as Christians first, while 48% said they are Americans first.
The survey findings suggest the question is as much a measure of personal religious commitment as an expression of patriotism to the United States. Among Muslim Americans who have a high level of religious commitment, 70% say they consider themselves to be Muslims first. But among those with low religious commitment, just 28% see themselves this way, while a 47% plurality identifies first as American, and 12% say they consider themselves equally Muslim and American.
The link between religiosity and self-identity is similar among Christians in America. By roughly two-to-one (59% vs. 30%), U.S. Christians who say religion is very important identify as Christians first, while those who say religion is less important identify as Americans first, by a margin of 76% to 18%. Similarly, most white evangelical Protestants (62%) say they primarily identify themselves as Christians rather than Americans, while most white mainline Protestants (65%) identify as Americans first.
Gen Sir David Richards, Chief of the Defence Staff recently paid tribute to serving Muslim soldiers and called for more to join up.
"We've got a very bright, vibrant and growing number of Muslims in the British armed forces and they are a very important part of our lives.
"They are very proud members of the British nation but they happen to be Muslims as well, they don't think there's any contradiction at all."
herve wrote:http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Sep-15/148791-interview-refugees-will-not-be-citizens-of-new-state.ashx#axzz1YigOBy4T
The ambassador unequivocally says that Palestinian refugees would not become citizens of the sought for U.N.-recognized Palestinian state, an issue that has been much discussed. “They are Palestinians, that’s their identity,” he says. “But … they are not automatically citizens.”
This would not only apply to refugees in countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Jordan or the other 132 countries where Abdullah says Palestinians reside. Abdullah said that “even Palestinian refugees who are living in [refugee camps] inside the [Palestinian] state, they are still refugees. They will not be considered citizens.”
The United States has of late been taking steps to dissuade the Palestinians from taking their bid to the U.N., sending negotiators to meet with Palestinian officials. The ambassador says these talks have not been fruitful.
“They won’t offer us anything … that saves the peace process,” he says. “They would offer us nothing except to say that they will cut financial aid, and other such threats. Dignity is much more important than a loaf of bread."
The last minute threats Abdullah refers to include a bill proposed by the chair of the U.S. House Foreign Relations Committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, which would cut U.S. funding to any U.N. body that recognizes the Palestinian statehood
A U.S. veto in the Security Council, Abdullah says, would only harm the great power. “The United States is propagating that it is the champion of freedom and democracy around the world, and if it denies the Palestinians the right to be free, to be democratic, and to live in dignity, it is not a good sign for the U.S.
but ofcourse there were any common sense
With already a dwidling image internationaly the US really can't afford to veto this, but still won't be surprised if it does.
DearJohn wrote:BM, why do you believe that Shaf isn't english? Is it because he isn't white? Whats the real reason?
Surely its not because he as you put it "doesn't stand up for his country", not even sure if there is a case for that but anyway what does being english mean to you? If you have a british passport and live in the UK or have done and have paid taxes does that make you english?
From previous posts it feels like you have a fairly racist ideology of what is required to be english and thankfully the British government has no appreciation for your your outdated views. Immigration exists in every country and has proved beneficial in all cases. You are jewish right? Did your ancestors always live in the UK or did they migrate here? If your ancestors came here 300 years ago and Shaf's 40 years ago was there some cut off which means that you are english and he isn't? In another 300 years at least none of these pathetic arguments will exist.
Bethsmum wrote:DearJohn wrote:BM, why do you believe that Shaf isn't english? Is it because he isn't white? Whats the real reason?
Surely its not because he as you put it "doesn't stand up for his country", not even sure if there is a case for that but anyway what does being english mean to you? If you have a british passport and live in the UK or have done and have paid taxes does that make you english?
From previous posts it feels like you have a fairly racist ideology of what is required to be english and thankfully the British government has no appreciation for your your outdated views. Immigration exists in every country and has proved beneficial in all cases. You are jewish right? Did your ancestors always live in the UK or did they migrate here? If your ancestors came here 300 years ago and Shaf's 40 years ago was there some cut off which means that you are english and he isn't? In another 300 years at least none of these pathetic arguments will exist.
No it isn't enough to have lived in England, paid taxes and have a British passport to be classed as English IMO.
My government dished out passports like they were going out of fashion in the 60's. That was not sustainable.
I wonder why Sir Shafique's parents wanted the passport anyway? What's the problem with being known as Mauritian? They've nicked off back home now so what was the big deal? Just because his mother happened to be in the UK at thetime of his birth does not make him British. If that was the case I would be mother to a German and a Cypriot, God forbid!
Shafique doesn't even like white people! He has mentioned the white feral underclass in Britain on a number of occasions, he makes derogitory remarks about our Royal Family and our Armed Forces. He repeatedly asks people to join him in condemning this and that but during the recent riots in England I asked him to condemn a 16 year old black boy when he kicked a 68 year old white man to death. He could not bring himself to do that!
Try to get Shafique to back our soldiers who are sent to hell holes to sort out other people;s sh1t. All he'll do is tell you there were Muslim soldiers fighting in WW1 and 2.
You can call me racist all you like, but I'm no different to most of the posters here. I just don't flower it up but try to tell it how I see it.
Beth comes to Dubai and has local friends. You wouldn't believe the amount of times I've been warned by wellwishers to keep her away from Emiratis. Isn't that racist? I quite like the locals, well the ones I've met and don't have a problem with her mixing with them. Until they do something I don't like, I'm ok with it.
You say immigration exists in every country, well I'd say the Emiratis have it about right. Come here and work and you'll be fine, Don't expect us to support you when times get tough and you're only an Emirati if your parents and their parents, etc etc etc were Emirati. The rest of you can shove off.
I can trace my ancestors back to around 1530 at the last look, it's been a while since anyone did any work on our family tree. We have a Bishop and a 'silent film' acctress in there somewhere.
I'm happy I'm English through and through.
But anyways John, hope that clarifies, always happy to help a 'new' poster. wink face.
Shut up - - You are racist, and U always fail to justify your racism/hostility to others
Keep on begging for more
DearJohn wrote:Immigration exists in every country and has proved beneficial in all cases.
DearJohn wrote:Immigration exists in every country and has proved beneficial in all cases.
shafique wrote:But just one point of correction - I've never said I don't support British troops. My dad was in the Territorials and my uncles fought in the British Army in WW2. BM knows this and is now ranting. Indeed, I once asked her whether she hated the Muslim English soldiers serving in the army today.. the back pedal was stunning.
Cheers,
Shafique
