Muslim group hits back at ‘extremist’ claims

Sunday Telegraph journalist Andrew Gilligan, described groups such as Muslim Engagement and Development - known as MEND - as “clever fronts to win political access and influence for Islamists holding extreme and anti-democratic views”.
MEND says it addresses the challenges facing British Muslims, with a focus on active political participation.
At an event in the OBA Millennium Cultural Centre in Chadderton on Tuesday, MEND’s regional manager for the North-West, Yusuf Tai, dismissed Mr Gilligan’s allegations.
Mr Tai said: “There’s a demand in the community to have education around politics. Muslims feel the media doesn’t best represents their views.”
The group launched a “Muslim Manifesto” at a Parliamentary meeting chaired by Conservative peer Baroness Warsi. The document covers issues MEND believes parties must consider when engaging with British Muslims in upcoming elections.