The Enemy Within: A Tale of Muslim Britain

About the Book

'Hard headed, well informed and intellectually coherent ... it turns conventional wisdom on its head. It deserves to promote a public debate on this subject which has been needed for more than 20 years' Peter Oborne

Britain has often found groups within its borders whom it does not trust, whom it feels have a belief, culture, practice or agenda which runs contrary to those of the majority. From Catholics to Jews, miners to trade unionists , Marxists to liberals and even homosexuals, all have at times been viewed, described and treated as 'the enemy within'. Muslims are the latest in a long line of 'others' to be given this label.

How did this state of affairs come to pass? What are the lessons and challenges for the future - and how will the tale of Muslim Britain develop? Sayeeda Warsi draws on her own unique position in British life, as the child of Pakistani immigrants, an outsider, who became an insider, the UK's first Muslim Cabinet minister, to explore questions of cultural difference, terrorism, surveillance, social justice, religious freedom, integration and the meaning of 'British values'.

Uncompromising and outspoken, filled with arguments, real-life experience, necessary truths and possible ways forward for Muslims, politicians and the rest of us, this is a timely and urgent book.

'This thoughtful and passionate book offers hope amid the gloom' David Anderson QC, Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation

'A vital book at a critical time' Helena Kennedy QC

About the Author :
A lawyer, businesswoman and racial justice campaigner, Sayeeda Warsi is Britain's first Muslim Cabinet minister. Appointed a life peer at the age of thirty-six, she served as Chairman of the Conservative Party, in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and as Minister for Faith and Communities. In the summer of 2014 she resigned from government, citing its 'morally indefensible' policy on Gaza.

Review :
Islamophobia is the Ku Klux Klan hatred of our time. This book is an antidote to the hypocrisy around Islam that has become such a poison in our public life. Warsi holds everyone - the state, the press, our Muslim communities - to the same standards of integrity and self-reflection. It throws down a gauntlet for all of us: to read it, understand it, and argue with it, with as much good faith as the author's Forthright and intelligent ... By tackling the "Muslim problem" head on, Lady Warsi has added to her accomplishments the feat of speaking truth to power ... It is as enjoyable to read about her devout, enlightened mother as about the pivotal points in her political career ... Thrilling and satisfying The Enemy Within is such a comprehensive analysis it should be on the school syllabus as seminal ... It is only through the likes of Sayeeda Warsi that the UK stands any chance of establishing the social cohesion it needs with its Muslim population Eloquent ... Calm and clever reflection Uniquely insightful A unique perspective on British multiculturalism The Enemy Within is vital reading for decision-makers in Whitehall and Fleet Street. It shows that we need more of the quality that terrorists signally lack: empathy with those different from ourselves A hard headed, well-informed and intellectually coherent analysis of policy towards British Islam. Much of what Baroness Warsi reveals is deeply shocking. Again and again it turns conventional wisdom on its head. It deserves to promote a public debate on this subject which has been needed for more than 20 years Timely and thoughtful [Warsi is] a trailblazer ... [She] writes with conviction