The umbrella body for Muslim charities in the UK has said it is concerned “about the mixed messages being delivered” by the government, following a letter from the Communities Secretary to Islamic community leaders.
The letter, which was written by Eric Pickles and co-signed by Parliamentary under-secretary Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, was sent to over 1,000 Islamic leaders. It stated that they are proud of the reaction of Muslim communities in Britain to the recent attacks in Paris, adding “but there is more work to do”.
Abdurahman Sharif, executive director of the Muslim Charities Forum, said: “On one hand the government is expecting Muslim communities to tackle extremism, whilst on the other it is not giving enough support to Muslim-led projects which have the potential to foster and strengthen community cohesion and inclusion.
"As highlighted by the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Tackling Radicalisation and Extremism in its December 2013 report, the government must support and advise organisations who want to confront and exclude extremists.”
He went on to add: “We should not allow the tragedy in Paris to be exploited for short-sighted populist gains that aim to increase tensions through feelings of insecurity, suspicion and anxiety. We all have a collective role to play in challenging extremism; and of all sorts. During these difficult times we must more than ever be united to defend our universal human values and expand dialogue as this is the only way for peace, and the best way to remember the innocent victims of terrorism.”
“There is a need to lay out more clearly than ever before what being a British Muslim means today: proud of your faith and proud of your country. We know that acts of extremism are not representative of Islam; but we need to show what is.”
The letter goes on to encourage charity leaders to make use of a toolkit which has been produced by the Charity Commission to help protect their organisations from abuse by etremists.
Last year DCLG withdrew funding from the Muslim Charities Forum citing "poor performance in delivering against agreed objectives".
Muslim Council of Britain objects to Pickles’ letter to Islamic leaders
The Muslim Council of Britain has also raised objections to a letter from the Communities Secretary which it says suggests that “Muslims and Islam are inherently apart from British society”.
Harun Khan, deputy secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “We will be writing to Mr Eric Pickles to ask that he clarifies his request to Muslims to 'explain and demonstrate how faith in Islam can be part of British identity'.
“Is Mr Pickles seriously suggesting, as do members of the far right, that Muslims and Islam are inherently apart from British society?”
Dr Shuja Shafi, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain has written to Pickles in reply, although he stated that the Council itself did not receive the letter.
Lord Ahmad has suggested that Khan “missed the point” of the letter and that his response is “disappointing”.
He told BBC Radio 5 live: "It explicitly states that British values are Muslim values. This letter is laying out that the government is engaging with all communities, saying we need to tackle extremism and to work together to make sure we eradicate this evil from our society."
The Muslim Council of Britain is an umbrella body with over 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.
A spokesman from Islamic Relief, who were also not a recipient of the letter, said: “We are very proud of our faith-based contributions in building a more cohesive British society. We’re very pleased to see that the government recognises the unique contribution that British Muslims and other faith groups make and will continue to make to the UK.
“Many in the British Muslim community are deeply concerned and worried about political and humanitarian crises in the Middle East. We urge young people not to go out to get embroiled in the conflicts in the Middle East. Even visiting the region to deliver aid is tremendously dangerous."
