The Caliph’s London

The London cabbie is an institution. He loves a good conversation, knows London like the back of his hand and is remarkably candid about how he sees the world.

I was invited to the United Kingdom for a series of lectures and appearances. I gave a speech at Oxford, duly acknowledging that for academic disasters like me, a lecture invitation was the only way to enter the hallowed gates of that institution.

I spoke at the UK Parliament. It was an absolute honour. To be able to state my country’s point of view in the halls of the “mother of all parliaments” is not something one forgets in a hurry.

It was the debate at King’s College, London that confirmed my worst fears. London has a very dark underbelly, a city beneath a city. The people who live in The Queen’s London ignore signs of the other city. Let’s call the other city The Caliph’s London.