Press Release Search

Tackling Extremism Together: Ministers Welcome Working Groups Report

10 November 2005

Practical proposals for a community-led response to extremism were welcomed today by Home Office Ministers Hazel Blears and Paul Goggins.

The proposals make up the final report from the seven 'Preventing Extremism Together' Working Groups, which were set up following the London bombings in July. Their report sets out practical actions that represent a first step in a longer-term partnership between Government and Muslim communities.

Responding to the proposals, Hazel Blears said:

"This report represents real progress and a unique achievement given the challenge set and the time available. Working group members came together from a wide variety of backgrounds and traditions to contribute their views. Their input has been invaluable and we will continue to support and consult informally with them as their proposals are put into practice.

"This process started in the summer when Paul Goggins and I met with more than 1,000 people during community exchanges across the country. The working groups have taken the issues raised during this consultation and turned them into an ambitious set of concrete proposals. Some are already starting to be implemented, while others are new and will now be taken forward in partnership with or by Muslim communities themselves."

Working group conveners presented initial findings to the Home Secretary at a meeting on 22nd September, including proposals for a National Advisory Council of Imams and Mosques, a national forum against extremism and Islamophobia and a country-wide 'roadshow' of influential populist religious scholars.

The final proposals focus on building capacity among Muslim communities and developing ways to promote partnership and engagement with wider society. Examples include:

• a professional development programme for the 'upskilling' of imams and mosque officials in the UK';
• a British Muslim citizenship 'toolkit' to equip Islamic societies, mosques, parents and youth to deal with extremist tendencies;
• an Islamic way of life exhibition to tour schools to increase understanding about Islam;
• developing opportunities for young British Muslims to be leaders and active citizens;
• improving the quality of teaching and learning of religious education with an emphasis of life-skills and citizenship;
• a national campaign and coalition to increase the visibility of Muslim women and empower them to become informed and active citizens; and
• supporting places of worship to become community 'hubs'.

Notes to Editors:

1. Following the London bombings in July, the Home Secretary set up seven working groups to look at issues around integration and tackling extremism.
2. Each working group has focused on one of the following workstreams:
   
   · Tackling extremism and radicalisation;
   
   · Engaging with young people;
   
   · Supporting regional and local initiatives and community actions;
   
   · Engaging with women;
   
   · Imam training and accreditation and the role of mosques as a resource for the whole community;
   
   · Providing a full range of education services in the UK, that meet the needs of the Muslim community; and
   
   · Security for the community, including tackling Islamophobia, protecting Muslims from extremism, and building community confidence in policing.
   
3. Community visits were undertaken by Home Office Ministers Hazel Blears and Paul Goggins over August and September to Oldham, Burnley, Leicester, Bradford, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, London and Bolton.
   
4. The conveners of the working groups set out a number of proposals in September including a:
   
   · National Advisory Council of Imams and Mosques. This would: advise mosques on how to prevent them being used by extremists; on how to reduce their reliance on using ministers of religion from abroad; set standards; and increase the cohesion and leadership skills of imams.
   
   · National forum against extremism and Islamaphobia. This independent initiative would: provide a regular forum for a diverse range of members of the British Muslim community to discuss issues relating to tackling Islamophobia and extremism that impacts on the Muslim community; involve both respected scholars and community activists in addition to others; and have access to Government in order to share outcomes and understandings.
   
   · Country-wide ‘roadshow’ of influential, populist religious scholars. This would: expound the concept of Islam in the West and condemning extremism.
   
   For further information see Home Office press release 143/2005.
   
5. The Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund was first announced in the Home Office strategy 'Improving Opportunities and Strengthening Society' in January 2005.
   

back to top