Sadiq in Afghanistan

In April Sadiq led a delegation of British Muslims in a visit to Afghanistan.  The group visited aid projects, hospitals and farms and met British troops and local politicians. It was truly a humbling experience for the delegation, and a great deal was learned about Afghanistan.  Most importantly, the delegation was there to show the people of Afghanistan what being a British Muslim meant, and managed to counter some negative misconceptions about the lives of British Muslims.

Sadiq wrote this about the trip... 

"This trip wasn’t about governance meeting governance – it was about people meeting people. I used the opportunity to learn more about what it is really like on the ground in Afghanistan. 

Together with the delegation of British Muslims that I was leading, I met so many different people, from ex-poppy-farmers, now farming alternative crops in Mazar-e-Sharif province, to local politicians and British soldiers. There was no point going just to meet VIPs, we wanted to get out and about and meet people. 

What emerged was that the efforts being undertaken in Afghanistan involved so much more than just providing security. British troops were working to secure areas, but so that aid workers could build schools, bridges and hospitals. Such a holistic approach that incorporates both security and building up civic society is vital to eventually enabling the country become self reliant.

But we can’t turn our backs on Afghanistan, a peaceful and prosperous future for the country requires a long term commitment. We’ve learnt from the past that if you allow religious extremist views to fester it can lead to problems in your own back yard.      

Whilst in Afghanistan, I also found myself having to counter many misconceptions about what it is like to be a British Muslim. Many Afghanis, particularly those of an older generation, were quite agitated about, for example the Danish cartoons, and assumed that in the UK Muslims were treated with little respect. Such misconceptions make the jobs of teachers, aid workers and troops much harder than they might otherwise be.

I was able to show them that I am British, I am a Muslim, and I am able to freely practice my religion. Many Afghanis just couldn’t believe that we have Muslim MPs. 

I left Afghanistan feeling very optimistic after I had countless inspiring conversations with Afghani people. They were positive about the future of their country, and after what I have seen, so am I."