Prime Minister Backs Letter Sent to Islamic Leaders
A letter written by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles to around 1000 Islamic leaders has courted controversy, the letter outlines how leading Islamic figures must integrate Islam into British identity and help battle extremism.
An extract reads, “You, as faith leaders, are in a unique position in our society. You have a precious opportunity, and an important responsibility, in explaining and demonstrating how faith in Islam can be part of British identity.”
Although Mr Pickles stressed he was “proud” of the way British Muslims had responded to the Paris terror attacks, he added there was “more work to do”.
“We believe together we have an opportunity to demonstrate the true nature of British Islam today. 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 Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) have criticised parts of the letter such as the “implication that extremism takes place at mosques”.
David Cameron however has defended the message stating it was “reasonable, sensible and moderate” and that it was “absolutely right” to write this letter urging Islamic leaders to help fight extremism. Cameron added, “Anyone who reads this letter – and I’ve read the letter – will see that what he is saying is that British Muslims make a great contribution to our country, that what is happening in terms of extremist terror has nothing to do with the true religion of Islam.”
“It’s being perverted by a minority who have been radicalised.”
MCB general secretary, Shuja Shafi, said Mr Pickles’ letter “could have been worded differently.”
In reply to the letter he wrote, “We take the point that your letter was written in good faith, and we agree with your assertion that British values are indeed Islamic values.
“However, we do take issue with the implication that extremism takes place at mosques, and that Muslims have not done enough to challenge the terrorism that took place in our name.
“This is why we responded to the media, and an assertion in some quarters, that you were somehow endorsing the idea that Muslims and Islam are inherently apart from British society. We reject such notions.
“We also reject suggestions that Muslims must go out of their way to prove their loyalty to this country of ours.”
He said the MCB was working to, “bring communities together and defy extremists of all kinds…not out of apology, but because it was the right thing to do.”
Chief Executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, Mohammed Shafiq, echoed this statement saying he was “dismayed by the letter” and criticised the government only looking at Muslims through the lens of terrorism and security. He argues that Muslim organisations are already fighting against extremism and promoting British values, a “patronising” letter was not needed.
Some were not so damning such as Haras Rafiq, of the Quilliam Foundation think tank, who said he was disappointed by the negative reaction of some Muslims.
“Whether we like it or not, there are some mosques, some imams who are preaching hate,” he said.
Other faith leaders offered their views such as the leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nicholls who said the letter should have outlined, “how Muslims can contribute to our values, not just have asked how Islam can be part of British identity.”
Former Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks said the letter was “well-intentioned” but he understood the frustrations of Muslim leaders.
