“The mufti meant exactly what he said, and those views are widely held,” Dr Ahmed said.
“I did my own little poll this morning, of a security guard and others who are Muslim, and all said they agreed with the mufti, that he is absolutely right.
“It comes from households, where young Muslims get the message that white girls are different, and that women in general are a corrupting influence.”
Dr Ahmed said it was “an opinion I’ve heard throughout my life, that women can tempt you into trouble. Even otherwise sophisticated people will say this, and slur white women.
“My own theory is, when they are growing up, they are told they are not allowed to participate in much of Western life, they cannot drink, they cannot go to parties.
“And when they are very young, I think they would love to participate – but then they get older, and suddenly, they find they have developed a contempt for the society in which they live.”
Dr Ahmed rejects the argument that women wear the veil because “it’s their choice”. “You see children aged five wearing it. Are we seriously arguing there is an element of choice, when you sexualise a child in that way?”
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