LONDON – Local councils across Britain are raising the alarm that the government is too much focussed on combating radicalization among Muslims while ignoring the growing threat of far-right extremism. "Councils have to be as vigilant about the far-right as they are against terrorism," Councillor Les Lawrence of the Local Government Association (LGA) told a conference on community safety on Tuesday, November 10.
"We need to listen to and encourage the vast majority of moderate, law-abiding, hard-working people to counter extremist beliefs at every turn and keep our neighbourhoods free from the poison that turns people to violence."
Scotland Yard warned in July that far-right extremists are plotting terrorist attacks to stoke racial tensions in the European country.
A London court on Wednesday, July 15, convicted a white supremacist who wanted to fight a racist war against the "non-British" of plotting acts of terrorism and bomb attacks.
A Scottish racist was released in August after threatening to kill Muslims until all mosques in the European country are demolished.
"I Will Kill Muslim Per Day"
Concerns have been growing in Britain over far-right extremism in view of the growing popularity of the far-right, whites-only British National Party (BNP).
Though it is not represented in parliament, the BNP won one council seat in both Lancashire and Leicestershire, and one European Parliament seat each in Yorkshire and the Humber and North West England in June.
The BNP is notorious for attacks against immigrants and Muslims, estimated at nearly two millions.
Alienated
Lawrence, a Birmingham city councillor, warned that focusing the government’s anti-extremism strategy on Muslims leaves many Muslims alienated.
"Focusing solely on one part of society, or being perceived to be, can only store up resentment and problems for the future," he said.
"There remains a very real and present danger from violent extremists, but it is vital that we focus on working with young Muslim men and women rather than creating the impression that they are all part of the problem."
He dismissed as "unfair" focusing on Muslim communities.
"It is vital to make sure that our efforts to counter extremist beliefs do not leave members of the Muslim community feeling alienated and unfairly targeted."
Launched in 2006, the “Prevent” strategy is widely seen as focusing predominantly on British Muslims, who have taken the full brunt of anti-terror laws since the 7/7 attacks.
British Muslims have repeatedly complained of maltreatment by police for no apparent reason other than being Muslim.
"It would be counter-productive if the excellent work that many Councils are doing to promote citizenship and civic engagement gave rise to an unfounded perception that some groups are being treated differently to others."
Source: IslamOnline
"We need to listen to and encourage the vast majority of moderate, law-abiding, hard-working people to counter extremist beliefs at every turn and keep our neighbourhoods free from the poison that turns people to violence."
Scotland Yard warned in July that far-right extremists are plotting terrorist attacks to stoke racial tensions in the European country.
A London court on Wednesday, July 15, convicted a white supremacist who wanted to fight a racist war against the "non-British" of plotting acts of terrorism and bomb attacks.
A Scottish racist was released in August after threatening to kill Muslims until all mosques in the European country are demolished.
"I Will Kill Muslim Per Day"
Concerns have been growing in Britain over far-right extremism in view of the growing popularity of the far-right, whites-only British National Party (BNP).
Though it is not represented in parliament, the BNP won one council seat in both Lancashire and Leicestershire, and one European Parliament seat each in Yorkshire and the Humber and North West England in June.
The BNP is notorious for attacks against immigrants and Muslims, estimated at nearly two millions.
Alienated
Lawrence, a Birmingham city councillor, warned that focusing the government’s anti-extremism strategy on Muslims leaves many Muslims alienated.
"Focusing solely on one part of society, or being perceived to be, can only store up resentment and problems for the future," he said.
"There remains a very real and present danger from violent extremists, but it is vital that we focus on working with young Muslim men and women rather than creating the impression that they are all part of the problem."
He dismissed as "unfair" focusing on Muslim communities.
"It is vital to make sure that our efforts to counter extremist beliefs do not leave members of the Muslim community feeling alienated and unfairly targeted."
Launched in 2006, the “Prevent” strategy is widely seen as focusing predominantly on British Muslims, who have taken the full brunt of anti-terror laws since the 7/7 attacks.
British Muslims have repeatedly complained of maltreatment by police for no apparent reason other than being Muslim.
"It would be counter-productive if the excellent work that many Councils are doing to promote citizenship and civic engagement gave rise to an unfounded perception that some groups are being treated differently to others."
Source: IslamOnline
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