A Muslim woman from Birmingham is leading a fight against extremists in her own community after forming a group that is determined to celebrate being British.
Gina Khan, 38, from Ward End, hopes the venture will help drown out radical voices and denounce cultural and religious practices she sees as outdated and fuelling extremism.
She described how she had been subjected to a forced marriage at the age of 16 and how this had subsequently become a polygamous arrangement. She believes forced and polygamous marriages are rife throughout Birmingham and need to be rooted out because of the damage they cause.
Since voicing her opinions, scores of people across Birmingham have asked to join Gina to discuss their thought and experiences.
"I'm so glad people are listening and reacting," said Gina. "People tell me I should be careful but I'm not scared, why should I fear speaking the truth? I'm not criticising the Quran, I'm challenging an interpretation of it.
"If we tackle the hidden epidemics of forced marriages to people from abroad and polygamy, which happen in the name of our culture, then we can tackle jihadists that also operate under the same banner."
Since speaking so publicly about her own experiences, she said she had been overwhelmed by the positive response.
"We're not supposed to speak out," she said. "The community has been deadly silent on these issues and it's not right that the spokesman from the Central Mosque (Doctor Mohammed Naseem) should be able to talk for us all, especially when he comes out and says the terror arrests are all a conspiracy.
"That's not how we all think, but we have no platform, no one asks for a moderate viewpoint."
Anwar Afzal, 50, from Yardley, has offered Gina the use of his function hall and business expertise to help her organise meetings. He said: "There is a fear among Asian people about speaking out against something that is supposed to be 'our culture'. Radicalists give a bad name to our community. Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance - I can't see how suicide bombers can fit in.
"I'm also appalled at the way forced marriages are used to gain immigration status and the way that both women and men suffer in their name. I hope that helping Gina will lead somewhere for our community. I hope it will teach people to think for themselves, at least it's a platform for our voices to be heard."
Gina said too many young Muslims and even politicians were obsessed with the situation in the Middle East and not looking closer to home.
"I'm not saying I don't have empathy with these people but we're not taking care of our own and they're going astray. It took the London bombings for me to realise, this isn't all in my head," she added.
Khalid Hussein, from Yardley, 35, is another who hopes to join Gina. He said: "It's time to raise our voice and no longer be afraid. When Gina said she wants everyone, Jews, Christians all British people to join together against the radicals, I just thought I want to help and contribute, especially after the 7/7 bombings. I don't know what we can do but maybe just talking and not being afraid is a start."
It's not just Muslim people that have joined Gina's call. Claire Rovira, from Balsall Heath, is agnostic but says it is everyone's responsibility to speak out and help people be proud to be British.
Moseley School has also asked Gina to give a talk to sixth formers and she hopes that she will also establish a voice for women in Birmingham's mosques.
"We're mobilised through fear not to challenge practises within our religion and culture. But our parents came to this country to escape strict regimes."
Contact Gina Khan through us at 0121 234 5048
