Maria Akbar argues that prominent female Muslim MPs are selling out Islamic principles and thereby misrepresenting what it means to be a Muslim woman to the British public.
MPs are supposed to be representatives of their communities. And in recent times, we’ve seen an increasing number of Muslim men and women enter Parliament, often elected on the back of the Muslim vote.
I would argue that these Muslim MPs have a unique duty and responsibility to stay grounded in their Islamic faith and values. Given their prominent public positions, their actions, and at times their inactions, serve as a reflection of Islam to the wider public.
There is no other job where da’wah takes place on such a large scale, simply through one’s behaviour. Therefore, these individuals must acknowledge and carry the weight of this responsibility with integrity. And the Muslim community should hold them to account if they misrepresent us.
Specifically, female Muslim MPs have an even greater duty, whether they fully realise it or not.
Muslim women in general are misunderstood and misrepresented by the general British public. We are viewed as voiceless, oppressed and far removed from society for practicing Islamic principles. Our hijab itself places targets on our heads by those who spread Islamophobia. It could not be more crucial that we are accurately represented in society.
It is infuriating therefore, to see the likes of Shabana Mahmood who has now been elected as the new Home Secretary, misrepresent the Muslim woman so severely. She said in an interview with The Times that her faith is at the centre point of her life, but judging from the outside, this is almost laughable and could not be further from the truth.
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Her abstention from a Parliamentary vote in 2023 backing a ceasefire in Gaza is of course infamous. More recently she expressed her support for police officers arresting individuals (often harmless old aged pensioners) who peacefully held up placards opposing genocide and thereby supporting Palestine Action.
It seems she is in fact more blind than the actual registered blind individuals being arrested at the protests and carted away in police vans.
We have also seen the likes of Apsana Begum and Zarah Sultana take anti-Islamic positions on various topics. They have openly promoted LGBTQ and supported “trans rights,” as well as the abortion bill that allows the murder of unborn babies up until birth.
It goes without saying that Islam is very strict regarding the circumstances around when abortion is permitted and, in general, it is forbidden.
Zarah Sultana has even publicly stated that “socially conservative views” are not welcome in Your Party – which effectively means that, if she gets her way, believing and practising Muslims can’t join it.
Whether it’s over issues surrounding the ongoing Israeli genocide, or other issues that contradict Islam, we consistently see Muslim women in prominent positions selling out on core principles. Either because they are chasing the dunya or because their understanding of Islam is deficient. Or worse, because they are deliberately disobeying Islam’s red lines.
The true Muslimah however, is grounded by her faith and values, obedient only to Allah SWT, and a force for good. We nurture families, strengthen communities, and are tasked with raising the next generation. We do not sell out, nor do we waver in pursuit of the fleeting pleasures of this world. Instead, we embody the qualities of compassion, patience and strength.
For this reason I feel that the female Muslim MPs who claim to represent us must do better. Right now, their actions, in many cases, fall short of the standards of a strong Muslim woman. If they cannot fulfil this responsibility, it is time for them to step aside.
Do better – or step down.
