Muslim groups condemn Tories’ counter-extremism strategy
British Muslims have condemned the Tory government’s new strategy to counter extremism in the country.
Muslim groups say the new plans demonize their communities and are doomed to failure.
The secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) announced that the new strategy has been based on “fuzzy conceptions of British values.”
“Today’s ‘one nation’ counter-extremism strategy continues down a flawed path, focusing on Muslims in particular, and are based on fuzzy conceptions of British values,” Shuja Shafi, the MCB's Secretary General said in a statement.
"Whether it is in mosques, education or charities, the strategy will reinforce perceptions that all aspects of Muslim life must undergo a ‘compliance’ test to prove our loyalty to this country," he added.
'Further demonization'
Arzu Merali, the co-founder of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, in London, has described the anti-extremism strategy as yet another evidence of demonization of Muslim communities in the UK.
“The new so-called counter-terrorism strategy sadly is further evidence of demonization of the Muslim communities,” she told Press TV’s UK Desk on Monday.
“It has been going on endlessly for decades and has accelerated over the last 15 years or so, with policies that simply direct all of society’s attention and fear towards a mythical threat,” the London-based rights activist said.
Backlash among Muslims
The British government insists that Counter-Extremism Strategy has been designed to counter the ideology promoted by ISIL and other terrorist groups including al Qaeda.
However, some British MPs have criticized the plans with some experts warning that any wrong decision may provoke a backlash and drive more people towards extremism.
Some critics believe that the new measures could deteriorate the sense of alienation and resentment among young British Muslims.
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