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"I want a fundamental rebalancing of our relationship with Muslim organizations from now on," Kelly stressed.
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LONDON — The British government outlined on Wednesday, October 11, a "fundamental" change in dealing with local Muslim groups, saying state funding would only be given to extremism.
"In the future, I'm clear that our strategy of funding and engagement must shift significantly towards those organizations that are taking a proactive leadership role in tackling extremists and defending our values," Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly told Muslims, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
"We will judge them by their words and their actions," she said, urging "moderate" Muslims to join the fight against extremism.
"It's not good enough to merely sit on the sidelines, or pay lip service to fighting extremism. That is why I want a fundamental rebalancing of our relationship with Muslim organizations from now on," Kelly stressed.
"Over time we will support those that stand up for our shared values and not support those who don't."
A recent poll showed that eighty-six percent of British Muslims, estimated at around 1.8 million, would inform police if they suspected a fellow Muslim was involved in a terror attack.
The poll, conducted by ICM, also showed that 56 of British Muslims did not believe a police warning that there were thousands of extremist British Muslims willing to carry out attacks inside the country.
The sizable Muslim minority has been in the eye of the storm since the terrorist attacks on London transport on July 7, 2005, which killed 56 people, including the four British Muslim bombers.
A number of British Muslims, mainly of Pakistani origin, were arrested on charges of plotting to blow up airliners bound for the US with liquid explosives disguised as drinks.
Financial Muscles
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"'They are proscriptions, ultimatums, meted out to Muslims," said Abdullah of the MCB.
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Kelly stressed that tackling the problem of extremism was not for Muslims alone.
"This is a shared problem ... But I do say that without you fully on side we will fail. Your voice is more powerful than mine and your actions can be more effective."
Kelly criticized groups and individuals who choose to boycott commemorations such as Holocaust Memorial Day, although she recognized they had a right to do so.
The umbrella Muslim Council of Britain, a coalition of some 400 organizations which has received state grants, has ignored the commemoration saying it should be expanded to cover all genocides.
MCB's deputy secretary general, Dr Daud Abdullah, said Kelly should speak "with the Muslims and not to the Muslims".
''They are proscriptions, ultimatums, meted out to Muslims," he said.
"'If you don't do this - we don't give you this'...these proscriptive methods, I think is not helping."
Islamic Human Rights Commission Chairman Massoud Shadjareh was "deeply concerned" about the speech.
"The deliberate confusion surrounding the word extremism is a ploy by the government to use its financial muscle to socially engineer a new brand of Islam which will be subservient to its foreign policy."
In a recent interviews with IslamOnline.net NCB Secretary General Muhammad Abdul Bari accused the Blair government of marginalizing the major Muslim organizations in Britain for the sake of unrepresentative bodies and individuals.
"The perception is given that we are offensive when we criticize the government, it is blackmail, and when others criticize it is ok."
Veil Ban
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"Imperial College recently banned the face veil and I think that this is arguably the best decision," said Rammell.
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In a related development, Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell backed Wednesday universities that banned Muslim students from wearing face veils, becoming the latest senior figure to step into a high profile row that has enraged Muslim groups.
"Imperial College recently banned the face veil and I think that this is arguably the best decision," Rammell told the London Evening Standard.
He said many teachers felt "uncomfortable" teaching students who wore a full veil.
"I'm not dictating hard and fast rules, as dress codes are a matter for university authorities."
Controversy over face veils erupted last week when former foreign secretary and incumbent leader of the House of Commons, Jack Straw, revealed asking Muslim women to show their face when they meet them in his constituency office for help.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday, October 10, he backed Straw for raising an important issue in a "sensible and measured way."
Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, Blair's likely successor, insisted Tuesday that it would be better for Britain if fewer Muslim women wore face veils.
He said Straw was "not proposing new laws, he is proposing a debate about the cultural changes that might have to take place in Britain".
Muslim groups have reacted with anger, describing the views as "offensive and disturbing" and saying veils were worn by only a tiny minority of women.
The MCB warned the debate would play into the hands of those with "bigoted" views.
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