As a national inquiry into the troubling issue of grooming gangs gears up, concerns are being raised about the exclusion of religion as a potential factor in these crimes. Tim Dieppe of Christian Concern is voicing apprehensions over the government’s approach, particularly focusing on what he perceives as the omission of Islam’s role in the discussions.
In a piece for The Conservative Woman, Dieppe critiques the inquiry’s draft terms of reference, which mention “religion” sparingly and not in relation to the motivations behind the abuse. He suggests that understanding Islamic law and theology is crucial, citing issues such as perceived superiority of Muslims over non-Muslims and men over women, the absence of an age of consent concept, and “sex slavery as an aspect of the laws of jihad”.
Dieppe, serving as head of public policy at Christian Concern, stated, “It seems then that the government deliberately wants to keep the role of religion in motivating grooming gang abuse out of the scope of the inquiry. To stave off criticism on this point, it has commissioned separate research into this question. But research is not the same as an inquiry. It will not have the powers of an inquiry. We have no details about who is carrying out this research or what resources they have or when the research is expected to be published. Indeed, the government has not promised that this research will ever be published. It may well not be published at all.”
While the government’s inquiry continues to develop its scope, a separate investigation led by MP Rupert Lowe has concluded its evidence-gathering phase. This privately-funded inquiry is reportedly preparing a report that may lead to private prosecutions against those accused of covering up the abuse.
Findings from Lowe’s inquiry suggest that Islamic beliefs played a significant role in the abuse patterns. A survivor shared their experience, stating, “Things would escalate around Eid … The main clash that I kind of had with the religion side of it was, I grew up a Christian. I would wear my cross because it was something really, really special to me … it was just used as a way to break me down, as in ‘Where is your God now? Why has your God forsaken you?”
Echoing these concerns, Anglican priest and scholar Dr. Mark Durie posits in a new report that the grooming activities are more closely linked to Islamic teachings than ethnicity. In Premier Christianity Magazine, he notes that officials may be reluctant to address these issues due to fears of Islamophobia and undermining multiculturalism.
A letter has been directed to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Baroness Longfield, head of the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, urging them to examine the potential influence of ethnic and religious backgrounds on the abuse dynamics. The letter’s signatories include shadow home secretary Chris Philp.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
