By Dominic Casciani BBC News Amid a slew of recent memoirs about coming of age in post-war Britain, Imran Ahmad brings something new to the table - the growing pains of a young man coming to terms with girls, nylon trousers and being a good Muslim.
By Dominic Casciani BBC News Amid a slew of recent memoirs about coming of age in post-war Britain, Imran Ahmad brings something new to the table - the growing pains of a young man coming to terms with girls, nylon trousers and being a good Muslim.
It all started to go wrong for Imran Ahmad at the Karachi Bonnie Baby competition. Despite his raised eyebrow and suave suit (see picture above) he is devastated to be placed second by the judge, who has given first prize to the competition organiser's child.
It all started to go wrong for Imran Ahmad at the Karachi Bonnie Baby competition. Despite his raised eyebrow and suave suit (see picture above) he is devastated to be placed second by the judge, who has given first prize to the competition organiser's child.
"It's absolutely typical of the third world," recalls Ahmad, referring to the inherent low-level corruption. And fortunately for him, his family soon take a chance on a new future in England.
"It's absolutely typical of the third world," recalls Ahmad, referring to the inherent low-level corruption. And fortunately for him, his family soon take a chance on a new future in England.
Years later, and now a very grown up Home Counties professional, Ahmad has published his memoir of a 1960s and 70s childhood and coming of age, Unimagined.
Years later, and now a very grown up Home Counties professional, Ahmad has published his memoir of a 1960s and 70s childhood and coming of age, Unimagined.
CHASING GIRLS Jenny decides to start guessing things about me... she deduces what type of underpants I wear (plain Y-fronts). I think she wants to go to bed with me! But I'm not sure Ahmad at university (she doesn't)
CHASING GIRLS Jenny decides to start guessing things about me... she deduces what type of underpants I wear (plain Y-fronts). I think she wants to go to bed with me! But I'm not sure Ahmad at university (she doesn't)
When it comes to girls, he yearns to be James Bond. But he fears they think he is an Asian Mr Spock from Star Trek, all Islamic logic and aloofness.
When it comes to girls, he yearns to be James Bond. But he fears they think he is an Asian Mr Spock from Star Trek, all Islamic logic and aloofness.
In one toe-curling episode he tries to woo Janice, the girl of his dreams at university by writing songs with his best friend. The lyrics are dreadful - it's almost embarrassing to read, holding a mirror up to each of our own teenage crushes.
In one toe-curling episode he tries to woo Janice, the girl of his dreams at university by writing songs with his best friend. The lyrics are dreadful - it's almost embarrassing to read, holding a mirror up to each of our own teenage crushes.
But Ahmad's story is not just a tale of growing pains. The book's title refers to the fact that his personal happiness and success as an ordinary British citizen were unimaginable to his parents when they arrived in a troubled decade of casual racism.
But Ahmad's story is not just a tale of growing pains. The book's title refers to the fact that his personal happiness and success as an ordinary British citizen were unimaginable to his parents when they arrived in a troubled decade of casual racism.
And amid the book's Life On Mars accounts of nylon trousers and kipper ties, it says something about how British society has fared in integrating Muslims - and how British Muslims themselves regard their society.
And amid the book's Life On Mars accounts of nylon trousers and kipper ties, it says something about how British society has fared in integrating Muslims - and how British Muslims themselves regard their society.
Ahmad's story is his own spiritual struggle - to be a good Muslim because of his heritage and to be a perfect English gent because of his reality.
Ahmad's story is his own spiritual struggle - to be a good Muslim because of his heritage and to be a perfect English gent because of his reality.
And in recounting these years, he hopes to contribute something beyond whimsical tales of dodgy second hand cars that don't quite deliver him the pulling power with the ladies.
And in recounting these years, he hopes to contribute something beyond whimsical tales of dodgy second hand cars that don't quite deliver him the pulling power with the ladies.
Getting to know you
Getting to know you
"I feel this is a book that re-humanises Muslims in the eyes of the rest of society - but also re-humanises the rest of society for some Muslims. We are dealing with a lot of problems," he says.
"I feel this is a book that re-humanises Muslims in the eyes of the rest of society - but also re-humanises the rest of society for some Muslims. We are dealing with a lot of problems," he says.
These people who are trying to tell us what is or what is not Islamic are putting their intellect on hold - there is more than one way to be a Muslim Imran Ahmad Ahmad argues that the West's perception of what it is to be Muslim has narrowed - but also that many Muslims have narrowed their perception of what it is to be Islamic.
These people who are trying to tell us what is or what is not Islamic are putting their intellect on hold - there is more than one way to be a Muslim Imran Ahmad Ahmad argues that the West's perception of what it is to be Muslim has narrowed - but also that many Muslims have narrowed their perception of what it is to be Islamic.
"We see Muslims as one single unified community which is just nonsense. Islamic communities and Muslims exist on a very broad spectrum; just as there is no single definition of Muslim, there is no single definition of the West and we have to start getting beyond these tribal ideas."
"We see Muslims as one single unified community which is just nonsense. Islamic communities and Muslims exist on a very broad spectrum; just as there is no single definition of Muslim, there is no single definition of the West and we have to start getting beyond these tribal ideas."
In the memoir, Ahmad recalls how a conservative student comes to dominate the Islamic prayer circle at his university. Hakim predicts hellfire and damnation, just like the Christian Evangelicals who dog Ahmad in the dorm corridors.
In the memoir, Ahmad recalls how a conservative student comes to dominate the Islamic prayer circle at his university. Hakim predicts hellfire and damnation, just like the Christian Evangelicals who dog Ahmad in the dorm corridors.
The preacher berates young men for un-Islamic fraternising with women. Ahmad knows he is the object of this lecture.
The preacher berates young men for un-Islamic fraternising with women. Ahmad knows he is the object of this lecture.
"That was the time when I was most uncomfortable, trying my hardest to work out how I should behave and be a good Muslim," he says.
"That was the time when I was most uncomfortable, trying my hardest to work out how I should behave and be a good Muslim," he says.
"I didn't believe what the preacher was telling me - I was so angry. For the life of me I just couldn't see why it was wrong to have a coffee with a girl and treat her as a friend and fellow human being. Surely that is Islamic behaviour?"
"I didn't believe what the preacher was telling me - I was so angry. For the life of me I just couldn't see why it was wrong to have a coffee with a girl and treat her as a friend and fellow human being. Surely that is Islamic behaviour?"
The preacher was from Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, home to a tradition of conservative Islamic thinking in the UK. Dewsbury was also the home town of Mohammed Sidique Khan, the leader of the 2005 London suicide bombers, a man who saw no meeting points between Muslims and wider society.
The preacher was from Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, home to a tradition of conservative Islamic thinking in the UK. Dewsbury was also the home town of Mohammed Sidique Khan, the leader of the 2005 London suicide bombers, a man who saw no meeting points between Muslims and wider society.
"I can now understand why someone [like Mohammed Sidique Khan] who has such a distorted view of interactions with women ends up so repressed that the idea of 72 virgins in paradise becomes attractive," says Ahmad.
"I can now understand why someone [like Mohammed Sidique Khan] who has such a distorted view of interactions with women ends up so repressed that the idea of 72 virgins in paradise becomes attractive," says Ahmad.
Unofficial manifesto
Unofficial manifesto
Unimagined may be a whimsical memoir - but it reads as an unofficial manifesto of sorts for British Muslims for Secular Democracy, a small organisation of which Imran Ahmad is a trustee.
Unimagined may be a whimsical memoir - but it reads as an unofficial manifesto of sorts for British Muslims for Secular Democracy, a small organisation of which Imran Ahmad is a trustee.
My parents don't represent all Muslims originating from the Indian subcontinent, too many of 'our people' are confused by what Islam is, assuming that it must be the most puritan Arab way of life Imran Ahmad in Unimagined The group says it opposes self-appointed community leaders who believe they have the right to speak for Muslims - when what they really are doing is telling Muslims what to think. The result, says Ahmad, is regressive "community states" that hold people back by, he claims, forcing people to adopt Arab practices.
My parents don't represent all Muslims originating from the Indian subcontinent, too many of 'our people' are confused by what Islam is, assuming that it must be the most puritan Arab way of life Imran Ahmad in Unimagined The group says it opposes self-appointed community leaders who believe they have the right to speak for Muslims - when what they really are doing is telling Muslims what to think. The result, says Ahmad, is regressive "community states" that hold people back by, he claims, forcing people to adopt Arab practices.
The organisation argues that if Muslims can critically focus on the core beliefs of Islam and the core ethics of Western societies, then there is an awful lot in common.
The organisation argues that if Muslims can critically focus on the core beliefs of Islam and the core ethics of Western societies, then there is an awful lot in common.
If there is any chance of challenging the violent "jihadi" ideology of the world's Osama bin Ladens, then it may lie in this critical reasoning and renaissance of ideas, says Ahmad.
If there is any chance of challenging the violent "jihadi" ideology of the world's Osama bin Ladens, then it may lie in this critical reasoning and renaissance of ideas, says Ahmad.
"Take the Islamic beard issue," he says. "The Prophet Mohammed had a beard. So people say you must have a beard to be a good Muslim. But he didn't have a mobile phone, did he? He didn't drive either. So should we use one or not? These people who are trying to tell us what is or what is not Islamic are putting their intellect on hold. There is more than one way to be a Muslim."
"Take the Islamic beard issue," he says. "The Prophet Mohammed had a beard. So people say you must have a beard to be a good Muslim. But he didn't have a mobile phone, did he? He didn't drive either. So should we use one or not? These people who are trying to tell us what is or what is not Islamic are putting their intellect on hold. There is more than one way to be a Muslim."
Differences, he argues, are not always as they appear when we are living with exaggeration and fear.
Differences, he argues, are not always as they appear when we are living with exaggeration and fear.
Back at grammar school, Ahmad is kept out of RE classes which focus on Christ's teachings. So when he is accidentally given the end-of-term paper on the New Testament, he completes it for a bit of a laugh.
Back at grammar school, Ahmad is kept out of RE classes which focus on Christ's teachings. So when he is accidentally given the end-of-term paper on the New Testament, he completes it for a bit of a laugh.
The lad with the strange name and stranger faith comes second-top of the class. His teachers had not realised how important Jesus is in Islam.
The lad with the strange name and stranger faith comes second-top of the class. His teachers had not realised how important Jesus is in Islam.
And like any other British school boy who's just got one over the teacher, he goes home, with a smile brimming from ear to ear.
And like any other British school boy who's just got one over the teacher, he goes home, with a smile brimming from ear to ear.
Unimagined is published by Aurum Press.
Unimagined is published by Aurum Press.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Some of your comments on this story.
I wholeheartedly agree with Imran. There should be no clash with a compass point and a belief system. And yes, those who point out that Islam is simply a checklist to follow need to be toppled from their podiums. Only you decide how to live.Mohammed Aziz Ahmed, London, UK
I wholeheartedly agree with Imran. There should be no clash with a compass point and a belief system. And yes, those who point out that Islam is simply a checklist to follow need to be toppled from their podiums. Only you decide how to live.Mohammed Aziz Ahmed, London, UK
I think he way of thinking is marvellous and serves to remind us that whatever our religion and way of life at the end of the day we have more in common than we thinkJackie Smith, Rugby Warks
I think his way of thinking is marvellous and serves to remind us that whatever our religion and way of life at the end of the day we have more in common than we thinkJackie Smith, Rugby, UK
Ahmad is what I am a British Muslim but he seems a lot more confused with where he stands as being middle aged and finding the answer from other beings as the answers to life are within your surroundings and not from the Muslim lecturers will/may have a whole different perception to life as life brings different challenges to everyone and different experiences which one should find himself.Ahmad should keep up the good work.Majid Ali, Peterborough
Ahmad is what I am - a British Muslim. Finding the answers to life are within your surroundings and not from Muslim lecturers who may have a whole different perception to life. Life brings different challenges to everyone. Ahmad should keep up the good work.Majid Ali, Peterborough, UK
I must read the book ... it sounds like an acurate portrait of what it is to be a muslim brought up in Britain rather than a muslim politician's view of life in the west.Ted, Stamford
I must read the book ... it sounds like an accurate portrait of what it is to be a Muslim brought up in Britain rather than a Muslim politician's view of life in the West.Ted, Stamford, UK
Promises to be a very good, balanced and objective read if his ideas on criticism are anything to go by. I think in this day and age of social/racial interaction, it would be a good idea for muslims to positively criticize themselves hopefully from an intellectual point of view and come to realize that we are dealing with Ideology according to people writing and commanding societies many hundreds of years ago and that the world has changed since then and that they need to be more open to the West and their practices but at the same time I believe the west has a lot to learn from islam itself in order to avoid decadence which leads to a societies downfall.Jaspal Singh, Leicester
Promises to be a very good, balanced and objective read if his ideas on criticism are anything to go by. I think in this day and age of social/racial interaction, it would be a good idea for Muslims to positively criticise themselves from an intellectual point of view and come to realise that we are dealing with ideology according to people writing and commanding societies many hundreds of years ago. The world has changed and they need to be more open to the West and their practices - but at the same time I believe the West has a lot to learn from Islam in order to avoid decadence which leads to a society's downfall.Jaspal Singh, Leicester, UK
Imran Ahmad and the BMSD sound like a breath of fresh air. It's great to see someone saying - and showing - that Islam and secular democracy are not mutually exclusive. There needs to be a lot more coverage of ordinary, integrated Muslims like him. Looks like the (only) way forward to me.JA I agree wholeheartedly with Imrans opinions, as a young British Muslim I have to deal with not being fully accepted by a larger non muslim caucasian society whilst also not being accpeted by an increasingly isolationist spurious concept of the muslim community. I strongly feel that the central point of society as a whole is that we must be accpeting of the numerous shades of gray as life is clearly not as black and white as we'd expect. Tolerance and integration must be practised along with concordance to faith and practice of moral behaviour.Saqib Rafiq, Banstead
Imran Ahmad and the BMSD sound like a breath of fresh air. It's great to see someone saying - and showing - that Islam and secular democracy are not mutually exclusive. There needs to be a lot more coverage of ordinary, integrated Muslims like him. Looks like the (only) way forward to me.JA
A very interesting point of view, a view that I agree with. However why do I feel that I'm unable to voice this point of view without the feeling I would be held as a racist, when all I want is all sides to respect that its not wrong to not agree with a faith, Just a Different point of view.Stephen Cotton, Barnsley, South Yorkshire
I agree wholeheartedly with Imran's opinions. As a young British Muslim I have to deal with not being fully accepted by a larger non-Muslim Caucasian society whilst also not being accepted by an increasingly isolationist spurious concept of the Muslim community. I strongly feel that the central point of society as a whole is that we must accept the numerous shades of grey as life is clearly not as black and white. Tolerance and integration must be practised along with concordance to faith and practice of moral behaviour.Saqib Rafiq, Banstead, UK
Fantastic. It is people like Ahmad (real people - real muslims) that need to speak up like this and 're-humanise' their faith both for their own faith's benefit and that of other faiths. In the end we are all just people facing the same challenges in life irrespective of which faith we were born into or chose to take up.Simon, Sandbach
A very interesting point of view, a view that I agree with. However why do I feel that I'm unable to voice this point of view without the feeling I would be held as a racist, when all I want is all sides to respect that it's not wrong to not agree with a faith, j a different point of view.Stephen Cotton, Barnsley, UK
I strongly beileve tht there is always more than one way to be a muslim. Islam is making our life easy and teaching how to be flexible with other people, communities, relegions etc. Shamsuddin Ziauddin, Market Harborough Leicestershire
Fantastic. It is people like Ahmad (real people - real Muslims) who need to speak up like this and 'rehumanise' their faith both for their own faith's benefit and that of other faiths. In the end we are all just people facing the same challenges in life irrespective of which faith we were born into or chose to take up.Simon, Sandbach, UK
This article was recommended by my work colleague who is a Buddhist. She is married to a muslim and it was an issue that she raised their sons as non-muslims but it was tolerated, they are successful science graduates she can be proud of. Her pleasure at seeing this depiction of secular, reasonable, humane muslim thinking was a joy she shared with me. I am also heartened by this personal story of an ordinary man contextualising himself in UK society and showing humanity and humour. What a breath of fresh air, I will take pleasure in buying my copy of Unimagined. ThanksDaphneDaphne, London UK
I strongly believe that there is always more than one way to be a Muslim. Islam is making our life easy and teaching how to be flexible with other people, communities, religions etc. Shamsuddin Ziauddin, Market Harborough, UK
Thank you so much for publishing this article. Finally I read something about good Muslims. My husband is such a good and peaceful man and has many friends of all nationalities and he is Muslim. We must encourage tolerance for this religion, because like any other, its followers range from weak to strong -- at the end of the day, religion is based on humanity. Thanks again!Emily Alp, Brooklyn, New York
This article was recommended by my work colleague who is a Buddhist. She is married to a Muslim and it was an issue that she raised their sons as non-Muslims but it was tolerated. They are successful graduates she can be proud of. Her pleasure at seeing this depiction of secular, reasonable, humane Muslim thinking was a joy she shared with me. I am also heartened by this personal story of an ordinary man contextualising himself in UK society and showing humanity and humour. What a breath of fresh air, I will take pleasure in buying my copy of Unimagined. ThanksDaphneDaphne, London, UK
xI think Imran is finding it very difficult to come to terms with life in England as a Pakistani. He has been taught and experienced an Islamic way of life in Pakistan and seeing the differences in the UK which is perceived to be the norm has made him question what is acceptable and what isn't. However, no matter how acceptable having extra marital affairs with women in the UK may be, the reality is that in Islam it is forbidden. Imran cannot accept the English way of life and adapt the meaning of a muslim to suit himself.Adeel Maskin, Keighley, West Yorkshire
Thank you so much for publishing this article. Finally I read something about good Muslims. My husband is such a good and peaceful man and has many friends of all nationalities and he is Muslim. We must encourage tolerance for this religion, because like any other, its followers range from weak to strong - at the end of the day, religion is based on humanity. Thanks again!Emily Alp, New York, USA
Why does the BBC never talk about the way white indigenous people are being sidelined in favour of immigrants? Vote BNP!mark, doncaster
xI think Imran is finding it very difficult to come to terms with life in England as a Pakistani. He has been taught and experienced an Islamic way of life in Pakistan and seeing the differences in the UK which is perceived to be the norm has made him question what is acceptable and what isn't. However, no matter how acceptable having extra marital affairs with women in the UK may be, the reality is that in Islam it is forbidden. Imran cannot accept the English way of life and adapt the meaning of a Muslim to suit himself.Adeel Maskin, Keighley, UK(Editor's note: Imran Ahmad was raised and learned about Islam in the UK. In the book he refers to adultery as a sin.)
Why does the BBC never talk about the way white indigenous people are being sidelined in favour of immigrants? Mark, Doncaster, UK
Praise be to the Lord! At least we have rational, well-meaning Muslims who can and will speak out. Abu Shafquat, Surrey, UK
Praise be to the Lord! At least we have rational, well-meaning Muslims who can and will speak out. Abu Shafquat, Surrey, UK
After reading this article, i have come to a conclusion that Mr Ahmad is a muslim who has astrayed from the divine path, sinking into western ways of living. For example, he said and i quote "For the life of me I just couldn't see why it was wrong to have a coffee with a girl and treat her as a friend and fellow human being. Surely that is Islamic behaviour?" Islam strictly prohibits the free mixing between men and women,it is only permissable if circumstances or sitation allow to do so. Sitting down and having a coffee with a girl might seem harmless, but there is always a third person around,& that is the devil,so you see,if one reads up properly and understands, they will not be thinking the way Mr.Ahmad is.He also said that the prophet(pbuh) had beard therefore we should have one, but he didn't have a mobile phone so we shouldn't,this kind of thinking will only take Mr.Ahmad further away from Islam, we are commanded to follow the Phophet(pbuh) if we wish to be close to Allah(swt),the beard if kept is a constant reminder as to why you have kept one, our beloved prophet(pbuh) was of a and is a unique character, he was perfect in every sense and walk of like thus he committed no sin, by keeping the beard, we are constantly reminded who we are and inshallah(if allah(swt) wills) will refrain from doing sin.Innovation can apply to certain area's of Islam, if one is still unsure, then he should consult a scholar who is of wisdom or to seek knowledge by their own means. I would personally recommend going to Yemen where there are numerous sufi scholars who can guide lost souls like yourself.May Allah(swt) have mercy upon you and guide you to the right path.P.s. If you have pure love for your creator his beloved Muhammad(pbuh), you can never go wrongAdnan Hanif, Luton
After reading this article, I have come to a conclusion that Mr Ahmad is a Muslim who has strayed from the divine path, sinking into Western ways of living. He says he cannot see "why it was wrong to have a coffee with a girl and treat her as a friend and fellow human being. Surely that is Islamic behaviour?" Islam strictly prohibits the free mixing between men and women. Sitting down and having a coffee with a girl might seem harmless, but there is always a third person around and that is the devil. He also said that the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) had a beard therefore we should have one, but he didn't have a mobile phone so we shouldn't. This kind of thinking will only take Mr Ahmad further away from Islam. We are commanded to follow the Prophet (pbuh) if we wish to be close to Allah. The beard is kept as a constant reminder of our beloved prophet (pbuh) who was perfect in every sense and committed no sin. Innovation can apply to certain areas of Islam. I would personally recommend going to Yemen where there are numerous Sufi scholars who can guide lost souls like yourself. May Allah(swt) have mercy upon you and guide you to the right path.Adnan Hanif, Luton
