Conservative Peer Raises Concerns Over Shadow Justice Secretary's Comments
The shadow justice secretary, Nick Timothy, has been accused by Conservative peer and former counter-extremism minister Tariq Ahmad of "instilling fear" among Muslims through his remarks about public Islamic prayer.
Ahmad stated that British Muslims were openly discussing leaving the Conservative party due to these comments. He has raised his concerns with the party leadership and anticipates that action will be taken.
"I have known Nick for a long time and am deeply disappointed by his divisive comments. He needs to reflect carefully on his own words," Lord Ahmad told .
"If he is aspiring to be lord chancellor, he has to stand up for the principles of equality and justice before the law for all, that comes with that responsibility."
Ahmad, who served as a minister in three different departments under Theresa May and David Cameron and has been a Conservative party member for three decades, made this intervention amid ongoing debates within the party.
Comments on Public Islamic Prayers Spark Controversy
The shadow justice secretary specifically referenced an event in Trafalgar Square where London Mayor Sadiq Khan and others participated in prayers during an iftar. Timothy claimed that Islamic prayers conducted in public spaces were intimidating and un-British.
Other political figures, including Nigel Farage, have also weighed in on the issue. Farage described calls to ban public Muslim prayers in the UK as bigoted and warned of a "growing tide of hate" following comments by Kemi Badenoch questioning whether such events align "within the norms of British culture."
Ahmad Highlights Rising Anti-Muslim Hostility
Ahmad noted that he has recently encountered anti-Muslim hostility in public, something he believed was a thing of the past.
"It’s ironic that Nick has sought to defend what he said by referring to British values, because it is exactly the values of choice, of standing up for inclusion and freedoms, that have attracted people like me to the Conservative party," he said.
"Michael Howard was a great mentor to me and he said the party has been and should always be one for all Britons. That is something that we always need to reflect, not just in our policies but also how we present ourselves."
Comparisons to Previous Party Remarks on Diversity
Ahmad compared Timothy’s statements to earlier remarks made by Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman regarding diversity and multiculturalism when they were still members of the party.
"Robert has now left and I remember having a debate with him. Indeed, even a run-in with him, and it takes a lot to get me going, when he made comments on how people should be arrested for shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’," Ahmad recalled.
"Nick’s comments about the iftar, the call to prayer and Islam were ill informed and he, and others, need to educate themselves before they make pronouncements like he has this.
"The call to prayer is not about domination. Nick should know this. I have known him for a long time when I was minister for countering extremism and he was a special adviser to Theresa May. No one should be trying to scapegoat any community in this way."
"We have had debates about policy and one of the biggest challenges we face is how do you define terms when dealing with issues such as those posed by extremism, whilst allowing for people to discuss things in an open and respectful way. But Nick singling out the act of public prayer by Muslims as being about domination, is, simply put, wrong. I think he is instilling fear. He is not just expressing an opinion."
Personal Experiences with Racism and Calls for Inclusivity
Ahmad, a businessman who joined the Conservative party in 1994 and became a life peer in 2011, also spoke candidly about experiencing everyday racism recently, similar to comments made by health minister Zubir Ahmed.
"Recently, racial slurs have been directed at me in a way that I cannot remember having happened for a long time. It’s unacceptable and no community should live in fear of that," he said.
He confirmed that he had raised his concerns with party leadership.
"Ultimately, Kemi has been someone who has deep insights and experiences from her own background and she knows that any party which aspires to be of the mainstream needs to be inclusive of people of all faiths. We as a nation move forward by working with, and for all, our communities."
