Ramadhan Foundation
Contact: Mohammed Shafiq
07989 764624
Embargo: Tuesday 28th June
2011 21:00
CEOP Report, Grooming and Asian gangs
Published: 28/06/2011 20:30
Mr. Mohammed Shafiq, Chief Executive of the
Ramadhan Foundation comments:
“Having led a vocal and strong campaign over the
past four years against the crime of grooming we
are heartened that CEOP have produced this
report. I strongly believe that without the
fantastic coverage of the Times Newspaper and
with my commentary piece we may have not be
where we are, I am proud that we initiated a
national debate which has led to this report.
My only hope is that this report is now followed
up with lasting action.
The Ramadhan Foundation provided extensive
evidence to CEOP and welcomes the inclusion of
some parts of our evidence. Since I raised this
in January 2011 and with the media coverage of
recent convictions; I have been overwhelmed by
the support I have received from the Asian
community and their total abhorrence at these
sick crimes.
Let me be clear, there are Asian gangs operating
in this country who are grooming white
teenagers, these gangs think that white girls
are less valuable than girls from their own
community which is sick and abhorrent. The
Asian community have offered their revulsion at
these crimes many times and we do so again
today; for as long as these girls suffer I will
continue to speak out whatever the cost.
I welcome the report’s finding that these crimes
are not exclusively an Asian problem, CEOP’s
findings that 20% of culprits are Asian, which
means 80% are not Asian, this is what we have
been saying all along. We are disappointed that
the media and Politicians seem to only focus on
the Asian cases when we should be tackling all
these criminals regardless of ethnicity or
culture. It is time for politicians and
commentators to address this issue with honesty
and remember this is about saving young girls
lives and not grabbing headlines.
There needs to be more preventive work in the
community with young girls, telling them of the
signs of these crimes and how to prevent getting
involved, an immediate stop to the over
sexualisation of children, parents and the
police taking responsibility for young teenagers
when they are wandering the streets at late
hours. Ultimately the people responsible are
the criminals who groom young girls and as we
have seen already the Courts have given long
sentences to criminals and long may this
continue. It is just not good enough to express
the revulsion to these crimes with words but as
we move forward all communities will need to be
channelling that anger and disgust into helping
the Police.
If through this hard work and bravery we in the
Ramadhan Foundation have been able to save one
young life then the struggles and threats we
have received over the past four years have been
worth it. There should be no hiding place for
these evil people and only together can we stop
them.”
END
Notes for editors
For immediate media interview requests please
ring 07989
764624
(Media only)
1. The Ramadhan Foundation is a leading Muslim
Organisation in the UK that is working for
peaceful co-existence and dialogue for all
communities.
2. The Ramadhan Foundation was the first Muslim
organisation in the UK to highlight and campaign
on grooming in April 2007, featured in a BBC
Panorama programme in Autumn 2008. The national
debate on grooming was started in January 2011
by the Times and Mr. Mohammed Shafiq’s
commentary piece featured on 5th
January 2011 (http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article2862993.ece)
The Ramadhan Foundation was undated with
thousands of emails of support from all sections
of the Asian community for this work and
leadership.
3. Based in Greater Manchester and working to
also establish the platform for human unity
amongst our communities in the UK.
4. Mohammad Shafiq is the Chief Executive of the
Foundation, aged 32 and actively campaigning to
provide a more positive image of Islam and
Muslims.
