Book Review: Muslims Don’t Matter Author Baroness Syeda Warsi Written by Dr. Zalan
`Muslims Don’t Matter’ marks a different approach from Baroness Warsi’s previous book The Enemy Within: A Tale of Muslim Britain.
It expands on her views as a seasoned politician with over two decades in the Conservative Party. Warsi, made history as the first Muslim woman to serve in a British cabinet and former chairperson of the Conservative Party, gained public attention for resigning from the cabinet in response to Israeli actions in Palestine in 2014. She is also known for introducing the notion that Islamophobia in the UK had “passed the dinner table test,” making it an accepted form of prejudice in British society.
This book is both a breezy read while also being a forensic, case-by-case examination of Islamophobia, analysing common tropes propagated by its main proponents. It challenges assumptions, particularly the misconception that Islamophobia is more prevalent among the working class, when, as Warsi presents, evidence shows it’s often rooted in upper and middle-class biases. She discusses how contemporary Islamophobia has become more open, systemic, institutionalised, and weaponised by influential right-wing figures.
Warsi provides examples, including instances in which high-profile Muslims, have been scrutinised for merely existing in prominent spaces. She illustrates how Muslim individuals often face a lose-lose situation: if they don’t engage in public life, they’re dismissed as isolated or unassimilated; if they do engage, they risk being viewed as a threat or as infiltrators.
The book also delves into specific smear campaigns targeting Muslims, revealing the cognitive dissonance in society’s acceptance of certain elements of Muslim culture, such as food and fashion, while rejecting the people themselves. Warsi’s background in law and politics shines through in her concise, precise arguments. She does not shy away from strong assertions, emphasising that Muslims should neither apologise for their identity nor tolerate overtly Islamophobic and racist comments.
One-third of the book is a look at the history of Muslim identity. While the other one third is. powerful reflection of Warsi’s unapologetic stance on Muslim identity. In the final part the remaining portion offers a toolkit for Muslims to navigate and counteract prejudice. Warsi ultimately calls for not only representation but also meaningful engagement in mainstream politics.
In Warsi’s words, this book is not meant to gather dust on a shelf; it is intended to be read and applied as a means of preparation and empowerment. ‘Muslims Don’t Matter’ is both a poignant reflection of our times and a polemical take down that offers insight and a rallying cry for change in an age of great uncertainty.
