Is King Charles' neutral position as British monarch under threat?

LONDON: King Charles III, who ascended to the British throne in September 2022, has been facing a multitude of challenges, from a cancer diagnosis to family feuds, political polarisation in the country, and regional wars that are undermining his position as a bipartisan leader.

Upon his mother Queen Elizabeth II's passing after a remarkable 70-year reign, Charles made history, becoming the oldest monarch to ever ascend to the British throne.

Despite his old age, the monarch is making all-out efforts to maintain neutrality amid heightening tensions within the country. However, concerns have been raised among some Britons about his perceived stance on Muslim relations.

The King's historic move for Muslims has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising his commitment to interfaith understanding and others expressing concerns about his constitutional role as Defender of the Faith.

The King marked the start of Ramadan (a holy month when Muslims observe fasting, prayer, reflection, and community building) with a special "Islamic call to prayer" at Windsor Castle.

Soon after, the royal residence opened its doors for the first open Iftar in the State Apartments' 1,000-year history.

While it is a great step towards recognising the minority in the country, a lot of Britons have rather felt 'threatened' by the act.

In a comment to GB News, username sd Job is quoted saying: "The problem with the King interfering in politics is you have to pick a side, which he has obviously done. He is supposed to stay out of that; otherwise, the other side despises him, which we now do."

Another demands: "The same as British Christians feel. This should be prohibited, since it's desecration of Windsor. Try to celebrate Christmas in Mecca. The UK is suicidal. So is French."

It is no secret that King Charles III has always been inspired by Islam and was famously a patron of the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies.

In a 2010 speech about Islam and the environment at Oxford University, the then-prince noted: "The Islamic world is the custodian of one of the greatest treasuries of accumulated wisdom and spiritual knowledge available to humanity."

Not to mention, in 1993, His Majesty also spoke about building connections between the Islamic and Western worlds.

"I believe wholeheartedly that the links between these two worlds matter more today than ever before, because the degree of misunderstanding between the Islamic and Western worlds remains dangerously high," he said.

The 74-year-old takes an active participation in keeping himself informed of Muslim beliefs and culture. With his deep knowledge of the religion and ‘dangerous binary’ of ‘Islam and The West,' the King is said to have developed a soft corner for Muslims around the world.

His open support for the community on a greater forum is thus clearly out of touch with the overall mood of the nation.

Not long ago, in the summer of 2024, the UK witnessed dire attacks on Muslim mosques over their support of Gaza.

The British monarch is seen as a harmoniser of the East and West. An English Islamic scholar, Abdal Hakim Murad, believes King Charles' efforts are praiseworthy.

"In an age when misunderstandings about the Muslim religion are widespread, we welcome the fact that the new head of state has a long record of sympathy for Islam, having made many statements in favour of better coexistence, respect, and understanding," Professor Murad told the ABC.

"It is important for Muslims to appreciate that the beauty of their religion is understood by significant figures in the British establishment."

While the moral compass of King Charles' former and recent actions is under question, the King has proved himself to be a one-of-a-kind monarch, very different from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, with his actions infiltrating into the political nuances of the country.