Why We Need an Islamic Tartan

Meaningful symbols bring people in communities together. National flags, for example, play an important part in raising community awareness and pride. The flag of St. Andrew's cross or the Saltire is as familiar in immigrant communities in Scotland as the crescent of Islam, with allegiance to both being a powerful component of citizenship.

As a Scottish Muslim, I am deeply involved in the dynamics of community and the exploration of values of national and ethnic pride. Current discussion of independence and the future referendum is bringing a new focus to what it means to be a Scot, and Muslim communities in Scotland are particularly sensitive to the complexities of culture, race and religion that are perceived as an integral part of Scottishness. Generations who have known no other home than Scotland now have a primary allegiance to this country rather than the nations where their parents or grandparents may have been born.

Therefore the idea of a Scottish Islamic Tartan seemed to me to be the perfect symbol of the future generation in particular, for the younger, educated Muslims caught between two cultures -- East and West, traditional and modern. Instead of conflict, the tartan represents a tightly woven blend of tradition and heritage. By bringing together the strands of two cultures, a symbol is created of something more meaningful than assimilation or accommodation. The tartan represents the new fabric of society, where Muslim Scots with a sense of history and a commitment to the future of Scotland have become an integral part of the New Scotland.

With the design and introduction of a Muslim tartan, I hope to interest, challenge and provoke discussion among people who have Scotland's interests at heart. The exclusion of Muslim communities has never been in the country's interest and Scotland's future, whether devolved or independent, depends on every Scot playing a part in creating a peaceful and successful homeland. What more fitting symbol of this aspiration than an Islamic Tartan?

Click through to see photos of the Scottish Islamic Tartan:

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• Scottish Islamic Tartar

  The theological explanation of the design is as follows: - Blue to represent the Scottish Flag - Green to represent the colour of Islam - Five white lines running through the pattern to represent the five pillars of Islam - Six gold lines to represent the six articles of faith - Black square to represent the Holy Kabah Credit: Lindsay Docherty

• Launch of the Scottish Islamic Tartan at Glasgow City Chambers on 7th July 2012 Credit: Lindsay Docherty

• =From left: Osama Saeed (Head of International Relations at Al Jazeera), Shazia Akhtar (Solicitor and Legal Fellow at The Scotland Institute), Dr Azeem Ibrahim (Executive Chairman of The Scotland Institute), Shabnum Mustapha (Vice Chair of the Scottish Liberal Democrats), Shaikh Amer Jamil (Solas Foundation and Scotland's leading Islamic scholar), Humza Yousaf (SNP Member of Scottish Parliament) Credit: Lindsay Docherty

• On the grand staircase of the City Chambers Credit: Lindsay Docherty

• Magnificent City Chambers Credit: Lindsay Docherty

• Lined up in the Magnificent City Chambers Credit: Lindsay Docherty

• Osama Saeed Credit: Lindsay Docherty

• Shazia Akhtar Credit: Lindsay Docherty

• Shabnum Mustapha Credit: Lindsay Docherty

• Azeem Ibrahim wearing the Islamic Tartan kilt Credit: Lindsay Docherty

• Shaikh Amer Jamil wearing the Islamic Tartan hat Credit: Lindsay Docherty

• Azeem Ibrahim Credit: Lindsay Docherty

 

Follow Azeem Ibrahim on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@AzeemIbrahim

Comments

[Itinerantview]

05:12 AM on 08/12/2012

Features the Holy Kabah,which the vast majority of Scots CANNOT visit,yes really inclusive,I can't believe they weren't aware of this symbolism.

[Itinerantview]

05:08 AM on 08/12/2012

Ironic that part of this"tartan" symbolises the"Holy Kabah.",somewhere 99% of Scottish people CANNOT ever visit.I can't believe they weren't aware of this fact.
We don't have a "Catholic" tartan nor a "Protestant" one ,we doo not need a religious tartan,especially one that features a supremacist,discrimanatory symbol.Disgraceful.

[Ayman Shafaat]

07:54 PM on 07/27/2012

I would say the approach shall Commoditise  pluralism  , whether its been interpreted as symbol for cohesiveness or as tool for patronising sub cultural identity. 

[Ian McCullough]

02:44 PM on 08/03/2012

Then the problem is within the commodity not the pluralism. As long as there is a mixed member proportional representation.

[mlrock]

07:00 AM on 07/25/2012

I'm neither Muslim, nor Scottish, but "Proud to be a Muslim and a Scot" sounds good to me!

[brokerthanu]

10:57 PM on 07/23/2012

I think I would approve if they were mini tartans.

[bryanzth]

08:23 PM on 07/23/2012

Nice colors. I like it! Over here in the States, I don't see me wearing a kilt, but being able to have a similar tartan fabric for a scarf or vest, yeah, I'm on it!

BZ.

[Indigo1941]

01:24 PM on 07/23/2012

That makes sense to this old Celt.

[MrJatt]

10:41 PM on 07/22/2012

99% of the focus, force, and intelligence available in the muslim world needs to be channeled towards islam's treatment of women. I say this as a male pakistani, born as a muslim .

There is no issue more important than this. nothing. i understand that many priorities need to be addressed simultaneously. however, if your house is infested with roaches, mice, and killer bees, you'll probably take care of the killer bees first.

[glzgowlass]

08:50 PM on 07/22/2012

As an ex-pat Scot reading this, I say this sounds like a fine idea.

[BilaalUSA]

07:49 PM on 07/20/2012

Allah left us the perfect example in all matters such as this in the last Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Issues like this reminds me of a song that was song in the church my parents attended: "Give Me That Old Time Religion; It's Good Enough For Me".

[gemini68]

05:36 PM on 07/20/2012

I love this! Great idea!

[arcanumseeker]

09:51 AM on 07/20/2012

I like it! The blending of cultures, wonderful idea. I love men in kilts!

[sgtgwn]

09:39 AM on 07/20/2012

Cool. I love a man in a kilt!

[solar diablo]

07:00 PM on 07/18/2012

This looks suspiciously like my Clan's tartan.

OMG MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD CONSPIRACY CALLING Ms. BACHMANN!!!

[ThinkCreeps]

05:42 AM on 07/19/2012

Bachmann's clan has white stripes on a white background on their tartan.

[mustbelove]

06:34 PM on 07/18/2012

Real men wear kilts and kufis, preferably not kilts during salat though. :)

[Talab]

02:20 PM on 07/19/2012

The main objection to kilts during salat would be best voiced by all the rows behind the first row ... ewwwww...rofl ... I am an american with 4 grandparents with scotish surnames and am muslim for 9 years..... Ramadan Mubarak

[arachne646]

05:29 PM on 07/22/2012

I just can't conceive of Highland dress and Islamic modesty coexisting. Surely some sort of underwear under the kilt must be necessary! Of course my interest is purely theological! Ramadan Mubarak.