UK mosques sent handbook on combatting extremism

The killing of British soldier, fusilier Lee Rigby in May 2003 once again highlighted the threat of violent extremism poses in the UK. In the court case that followed, one of Fusilier’s murderers Michael Adebowale claimed he was a soldier of Allah and it was an act of war. Lee Rigby was hacked to death outside his army barracks in Greenwich.

The guide published by a British right leaning think tank now suggests that there is an urgent need to provide a sound theological counter narrative to that of al-Qa’ida. Hannah Stuart is a Research Fellow with the Henry Jackson Society

"It’s one of the most pressing issues of our time. The use of violence for religious purposes has a long past. We see it today, the theological arguments are really important for radicalised young Britons and the guide is for anyone who wants to engage in the most pressing issue of our time."

I asked Hannah Stuart who the guide was intended for: "We’re working with a european think tank to disseminate the report and send it to Imams and mosques across the country and events will also be held in mosques in a safe and collaborative way. I think it’s important these issues are engaged with in a safe and meaningful way. We know we will get critical responses to it, the more we have counter argument the more there is a debate about the legitimacy of jihad and how individuals conceive that – what it appropriate warfare. These are important discussions to have.

The intended audience isn’t just the Muslim communities – it’s for policy makers and government what is the counter argument, which voices to amplify, non-Muslims who want to understand this issue – it’s also for extremists on the other side and the far right who share a historical and narrow view of Islam."

This new guide is published at a time when anyone from Britain travelling to Syria is warned that if they join the war against President Assad’s regime they will be prosecuted on their return to the UK. In an interview with the Evening Standard, Sue Hemming, a senior terrorism lawyer at the Crown Prosecution Service said anyone receiving terrorist training will face court action when they get back.

Imran Awan is a, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Birmingham City University. He disagrees with the Henry Jackson Society. "Trying to give mosques and Muslims the impression that they can tackle the radicalisation process is a short-tem goal to a long-term problem."

Source http://voiceofrussia.com/uk/news/2014_02_05/UK-mosques-sent-handbook-on-combatting-extremism-0413/