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Ramadhan Foundation
Contact: Mohammed Shafiq
07989 764624
Embargo: Immediate Monday 6th June 2011 21:00
The Government’s Prevent Strategy
Published: 06/06/2011 20:30
Mr. Mohammed Shafiq, Chief Executive of the Ramadhan Foundation
comments:
“The threat from terrorism is real and events like this require
communities and Governments to come together to tackle this evil menace
from our country. Sadly the Government’s new Prevent strategy seeks to
promote the same worn out policy that has failed to achieve success and
has led to alienation in the Muslim community.
To label all Muslims who promote and practice Sharia law as extremists
is a dangerous precedent which will be strongly opposed by our community
because the real reasons behind this new strategy is to score cheap
political points on the back of the Muslim community. With respect to
the Prime Minister and his Ministers Freedom, Democracy, human rights
and equality are not British values, they are human values that are
enshrined in many faiths including Islam. Adopting a heavy handed
approach will lead to more mistrust, division and is not the right
strategy to protect our country from terrorism and extremism.
Sharia law is a central pillar of our lives for Muslims and nothing any
Government Ministers say will stop us using Sharia law to ensure we
support our neighbours (Muslim and non Muslim), help the needy in our
society, promote equality, fairness and justice.
Holding extremist views is not illegal, just look at the EDL and BNP,
this Prevent strategy must be about tackling those extremists that use
terrorism and brainwash people and also include the evil of the far
right.
This dangerous escalation of attacks on Islam and Muslims will lead to
further division and make the task of tackling extremism more
difficult. It is interesting that the Government has no strategy to
deal with the evil far right like the EDL and BNP. Over the past two
years millions of pounds have been wasted in public funds policing these
extremists who march our streets and attack our faith and community – no
mention of how this Government will deal with these fanatics.
The Liberal Democrats spent many years in opposition decrying Labour’s
Prevent strategy often urging dialogue and engagement with the Muslim
community and not demonisation but now in Government they sit silently
as the Conservatives demonstrate their machoism. They should be ashamed
of themselves and the Muslim community will not forget their silence in
a hurry. Nick Clegg and Liberal Democrats have failed to stand up for
their liberal values and this is a sad day for Liberalism.
The Muslim community will continue to take on the terrorists and we will
work with the Police and Intelligence Agencies and will not rest until
our country is safe from these evil crimes, the terrorists do not act in
the name of Islam. But we will strongly oppose attacks on our faith and
community from whatever quarter.
END
Notes for editors
For immediate media interview requests please ring 07989 764624 (Media
only)
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The
Ramadhan Foundation is a leading Muslim organisation in the UK
that is working for peaceful co-existence and dialogue for all
communities.
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Based in Greater Manchester and working to also establish the
platform for human unity amongst our communities in the UK
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Mohammad Shafiq is the Chief Executive of the Foundation, aged 31 and
actively campaigning to provide a more positive image of Islam and
Muslims
Mr. Mohammed
Shafiq
Chief Executive
Ramadhan
Foundation
07989 764624
mohammed.shafiq@ramadhanfoundation.com
www.ramadhanfoundation.com
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