Lord Noon has always been the stalwart in standing for the social issues facing our society. He has been a fine example and a role model of how an immigrant to the UK can achieve material as well political success.
I fully concur with his observations about the actions of the Home Secretary, Teresa May, to silence those who quietly influence others to radicalise and wish to damage the very society they live in and have gained so much from.
As a leading Muslim, Lord Noon has done a commendable job to publicly welcome such initiatives. It is a recognition that that there many Muslims in our society who are of similar thoughts and minds as Lord Noon but remain a silent majority.
In my daily life I meet my Muslim friends and business contacts and I am always impressed by their dedication to religion and sometimes observing that as Hindus, we are not so well dedicated. Many of them speak of their dissatisfaction of violence and radicalisation that often mars their community. Like Lord Noon, many of them appreciate the values and comforts that they have enjoyed by living in this British society. However, when asked why they do not ‘ stand up and speak out’ they quietly say that if they do that their families and they will get marginalised by local mullahs. They leave in the fear of being branded as society outcasts. So they suffer the pain quietly. This regrettable.
We therefore need to encourage and support the initiatives of important leaders like Lord Noon in the hope that others will follow his lead. As thought processes change and the majority start speaking out, the very small groups who try to damage our society will get over powered for the betterment of the society as a whole.
Subhash V Thakrar B Com FCA FRSA
Partner
CBW Blackstone Franks
Vice President and Past Chairman
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
