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31/03/2004
Council urges vigilance from British Muslims
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has written to the leaders of Islamic institutions urging vigilance against illegal activities – as some organisations "misleadingly" associate Islam with terrorism.
In its letter to all imams, ulema, chairs and secretaries of mosques, Islamic organisations and institutions, the MCB Secretary General Iqbal Sacranie said that Islam has been associated with terrorism by some figures, "despite our immediate, public and unequivocal condemnation" of the Madrid terror attacks.
He also restated the MCB position that it is a Muslim's duty to help preserve the peace of the nation as well as "protecting the community against falling into any trap or provocation".
To maintain the faith's distance from terrorism, Mr Sacranie called on community leaders to, among other things: provide the "correct Islamic guidance"; observe the utmost vigilance; liaise with the local police and give them the fullest cooperation; "proactively" engage with the media in order to refute any misconception about Islam and the Muslim community; and maintain social peace and good community relations.
The letter added: "There is no need however to be daunted or intimidated by any Islamophobic propaganda and we should continue with our daily lives – normally and in accordance with the tenets of Islam.
"All of us as Muslims will have been appalled to see some of the headlines in today ’ s newspapers (for example 'Islamic Bomb Plot Foiled', Daily Telegraph; ‘The Truck Bombers of Suburbia’, The Times 2004).
"This kind of sensationalised reporting has done immense damage to British Muslims as well as to community relations and we assure you that the MCB's Media Committee will be taking this matter up urgently with the editors concerned."
The Prime Minister Tony Blair has welcomed the move as it highlighted that terrorism was in no way connected to the teachings of Islam.
The letter comes after eight people, reported to be of Pakistani origin, were arrested in an anti-terror operation across the south west of England yesterday morning.
(gmcg)
In its letter to all imams, ulema, chairs and secretaries of mosques, Islamic organisations and institutions, the MCB Secretary General Iqbal Sacranie said that Islam has been associated with terrorism by some figures, "despite our immediate, public and unequivocal condemnation" of the Madrid terror attacks.
He also restated the MCB position that it is a Muslim's duty to help preserve the peace of the nation as well as "protecting the community against falling into any trap or provocation".
To maintain the faith's distance from terrorism, Mr Sacranie called on community leaders to, among other things: provide the "correct Islamic guidance"; observe the utmost vigilance; liaise with the local police and give them the fullest cooperation; "proactively" engage with the media in order to refute any misconception about Islam and the Muslim community; and maintain social peace and good community relations.
The letter added: "There is no need however to be daunted or intimidated by any Islamophobic propaganda and we should continue with our daily lives – normally and in accordance with the tenets of Islam.
"All of us as Muslims will have been appalled to see some of the headlines in today ’ s newspapers (for example 'Islamic Bomb Plot Foiled', Daily Telegraph; ‘The Truck Bombers of Suburbia’, The Times 2004).
"This kind of sensationalised reporting has done immense damage to British Muslims as well as to community relations and we assure you that the MCB's Media Committee will be taking this matter up urgently with the editors concerned."
The Prime Minister Tony Blair has welcomed the move as it highlighted that terrorism was in no way connected to the teachings of Islam.
The letter comes after eight people, reported to be of Pakistani origin, were arrested in an anti-terror operation across the south west of England yesterday morning.
(gmcg)
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