Muslims are boycotting the country's key anti radicalisation viz. 'Prevent' programme, The Times has reported. There were less than 300 community tip-offs in last 6 months, raising concerns that the police are being denied information that might prevent terrorist attacks. Figures from the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) show that of the 3,288 referrals to the programme in the first half of 2015, only 280/8.6% came from the community, family, friends and faith leaders. Rest were from public bodies outside policing like schools, social services, health sector, etc.
Even though the figures relate to all kinds of extremism, they illustrate disillusionment within Muslim communities about 'Prevent', which has been described as racist or compared to almost witch-hunt. In December Walthamstaw Forest Council mosques, that represents thousands of Muslims, boycotted this programme. Tension in the community increased when a 14-year-old boy was interrogated over his inclination towards Isis after he was heard using the term 'ecoterrorisme' in a French class.
According to an analysis by The Times, 'Why Muslims choose to be silent', the reporter said, the 14-year-old boy's case was one of a number in which the desire to deal with extremism has had opposite effect. The Prevent Programme enhances distrust and alienate the very communities that the authorities are trying to reach out.
Prevent was introduced after 9/11, but such grassroots interventions depend on the community for tip-off, but the fact of 'duty' to report concerns have only widened the gap.
The Muslim Council of Britain has raised concerns about the 'effectiveness and negative consequences' of Prevent and claims the word 'duty' results in further alienation. However the strategy's supporters claim it has raised public awareness of terrorism.
In a letter to the Editor in Times, Shuja Shafi, Secretary, MCB wrote, “Muslims are not silent on terror. Only last month MCB took out an advert in the name of hundreds of Muslim groups unequivocally condemning terror...
“Terrorism affects us all. We have encouraged community efforts to report criminal activities and cooperate with police...
“Many Muslims do have serious questions about the Prevent programme. And many of us want a successful counter terrorism policy that works far more closely with Muslim communities. Our democratic traditions should surely mean that such concerns ought not be shut down by implied suggestions of acquiescence to terrorism or disloyalty to our country.”
Freedom of Expression- in question?
Mathew Parris in the Times writes about the significance of the phrase 'freedom of speech' and contradiction that it poses. Referring to the Charlie Hebdo affair, though he was shocked at the atrocities by some loose-cannon Islamists, he had to stop himself from asking if the magazine was asking for it! Retired from the board of Index on Censorship, a British anchored organisation that campaigns for the freedom of expression, worldwide, he points out how times have changed, and so have laws.
There are laws protecting one from racial abuses, and one from homophobic attacks – most think that's justified, but what if a person from Muslim background wants to deny the sacred truths of Islam at a public meeting that causes deep offence to many Muslims? For example, at a university if students touch on some sensitive issues on the campus that hurt the sentiments of diehard Muslims, will the university be able to protect them? And how will the student define his or her danger in the right words?
Christianity faces extinction at birthplace?
The Queen spoke of the tragedy of refugees and one of the world’s finding light amid the darkness in her Christmas message. She spoke how Mary and Joseph were also forced to flee with infant Jesus. David Cameron used his Christmas message to emphasise the importance of security and to applaud those involved in protecting the country from terrorism.
Cameron also said being Christian made Britain a country tolerant of all faiths.
“As a Christian country, we must remember what his birth represents: peace, mercy, goodwill and, above all, hope. I believe that we should also reflect on the fact that it is because of these important religious roots and Christian values that Britain has been such a successful home to people of all faiths and none.”
But the Most Rev Justin Welby has compared Isis to King Herod's, the ruler who massacred all newborns in Bethlehem, for the slaughter of the innocents. The head of the world's 85 million Anglicans fears that the terrorist group is threatening to eliminate Christianity where the religion was born. The calls for greater protection came amid news that the Church of England is to fast-track black and ethnic minority clergy to senior positions to counter accusations of institutional racism.
His comments came after faith leaders warned that persecution of Christians was growing across the world. Brunei has threatened to imprison anyone who celebrates Christmas in public and levy heavy fines for putting up a Christmas tree and crosses, singing hymns or sending festive greetings. Somalia has banned all events relating to Christmas as contrary to Islamic culture. In China the Communist Party has been dismantling large crosses outside hundreds of churches.
