Mohamed Ameen Dabhelia- 2016/06/24

 A majority of British voters has decided that the United Kingdom should leave the European Union, as Prime Minister David Cameron announced his resignation.

“I do not think it would be right for me to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.” he said in a televised address.

Global markets are moving wildly, and currencies are making big moves.

So, just what happens next for Britain?

Founder of the Al Aqsa Foundation in the UK Ismail Patel says this decision will have major repercussions, especially for the ethnic minority.

“First of all, Muslims globally have to appreciate the impact of the referendum on British Muslims itself, because if we come out of the European Union, this means that for British Muslims, the highest court of appeal would be the British courts, you won’t be able to take any issues to the European court, that means there’d be one more layer that we cannot access to get justice.”

Patel says that this vote changes Britain’s stance globally and also their role within Europe.

“Economically, on a global perspective all trade deals are done through the European Union and there will now be major repercussions as Britain leaves as there will be no pacts created with different countries around the globe, this will mean that security and Britain’s reach will be different – which could turn out to be more aggressive because they will be working unilaterally and not balanced out with other states within Europe.”

He says that this decision will create major problems for the ethnic minority including Muslims.

“It would’ve been better for the ethnic minority in Britain to remain in the EU, as the country goes to the right; we are talking about Xenophobia, a rise in racism, an issue with immigration which will eventually create major problems.”

Patel adds that there are several factors which have influenced this referendum.

“Overall there’s been a rise of Islamophobia, when they speak about refugees in Europe, they don’t talk about refugees without an identity, they talk about a political identity, and so even immigrations sub-layer is Muslims.

Patel says that when you talk about refugees and immigration, there is a context that means Muslims are coming to Europe, Muslims are coming to Britain, and the refugee crisis is a Muslim problem.

He says the other issue is ‘fear’ that Europe is being taken over by Muslims.

Patel says that as Britain shifts to the right, the ethnic minority would be forced to either assimilate or move out.

CNBC is reporting that Cameron, who led the campaign to remain in the EU, is likely to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which begins the legal process for leaving the bloc.

“The British people have made the very clear decision to take a different path and as such I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction,” he said earlier in a televised address outside his residence.

Once Article 50 is invoked, a series of negotiations would begin about how to disentangle the U.K. from the many EU structures to which it is a party. The process could take two years or more, if both the U.K. and the European Council agree to extend the discussion period.

Cameron says this process would be irreversible.

Some have suggested that British leadership could avoid invoking Article 50 all together, and would instead attempt to negotiate a different, not entirely separate – relationship with the EU.

Meanwhile, EWN is reporting that the South African Presidency says government has noted the outcome of the referendum.

It says the Reserve Bank and Treasury are closely monitoring the unfolding developments and will advise the South African public where necessary.

Additonal Reporting- CNBC/EWN

Twitter: @thedabhelia