Let me speak from the heart. As Muslims, we often talk about how beautiful our faith is, how Islam teaches us to be clean, kind, and caring towards our neighbours. But when I walk through parts of our community in Bradford, I can’t help but feel ashamed. The streets are filthy, rubbish is dumped on pavements, alleyways are a mess and we just walk past it like it’s normal. Is this really what Islam teaches us?
I grew up in a home where we were taught that keeping your area clean is part of your religion. My parents would remind us that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told us that cleanliness is half of faith. We were told to look after our neighbours, Muslim or not. That your street, your front garden, your neighbourhood, it reflects who you are.
But look at us now. Go for a walk through certain areas in Bradford, and you’ll see overflowing bins, fly-tipping, takeaway boxes scattered on the floor. It’s embarrassing. And let’s not blame the council for everything, a lot of this mess is created by us.
We haven’t just let ourselves down, we’ve let down the very community that welcomed us when our parents and grandparents came here for a better life. The people who stood by us, worked alongside us, shared their hospitals, schools, and streets with us. How have we repaid that kindness? By turning some of our neighbourhoods into dumping grounds?
A few weeks ago, I was walking back from the mosque after Friday prayers. I saw a brother come out of the shop, unwrap his snack, and casually drop the wrapper on the pavement, just steps away from a bin. I stopped and asked him, “Is this what the Prophet would do?” He looked embarrassed but said nothing. And this isn’t a one-off. It’s happening everywhere, on the school run, outside the takeaways, near the masjids.
And let’s not forget our neighbours. Many of them feel ignored, disrespected, even pushed out. This kind of behaviour is not just dirty; it’s damaging community trust. It makes people look at us and ask, “Do they even care?” It fuels division and resentment. We can preach all we like about Islam being a religion of peace and compassion but if our streets are full of rubbish and we’re not being decent to those living around us, our actions speak louder than our words.
I’ve spent years working with different communities, organising clean-ups, talking to young people, helping build pride in our areas. And every time, I’m reminded: change starts with us. Not the council, not the media, us. We need to stop making excuses and start owning the problem.
Islam isn’t just about praying five times a day and fasting in Ramadan. It’s also about not making life harder for the person living next door. It’s about respecting shared spaces. It’s about lifting up the community, not dragging it down.
So, I ask, what are we doing? Is this the legacy we want to leave behind? Streets full of litter, neighbours full of resentment, and a community that’s lost its shine?
It’s time to wake up. If you love your faith, show it in your actions. Pick up after yourself. Keep your street clean. Be kind to your neighbours. Teach your kids to do the same. We owe it to our religion, to our families, and to the people who share this city with us.
Let’s stop blaming others. Let’s look in the mirror. Because the truth is, we can do better. And we must.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this column are my own, based on personal experiences and observations within the community. They are not intended to criticise any individual, group, or organisation, but rather to spark honest reflection and constructive dialogue. My intention is to encourage positive change, grounded in the shared values of respect, responsibility, and community spirit that Islam teaches us all.
