Ruth Kelly in talks to solve extremism

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has met with a group of representatives from 20 key local councils to discuss the escalation of religious rows including the alleged 'brainwashing' of young Muslims to perform acts of violence.

Ruth Kelly commented: "The new extremism we're facing is the single biggest security issue for local communities."

The Minister is said to have unveiled plans at the meeting to target Islamist extremist 'hotspots' by encouraging the council and police chiefs to pick out mosques, schools and universities where young Muslims are 'brainwashed'.

Ms Kelly believes that responsibility for ending extremism should be held by all communities and not just the Muslim community.

Last week, the Minister pleged financial support to Muslim groups that proved they were trying to oust extremism.

Ms Kelly added: "This is not just a problem for Muslim communities. The far right is still with us, still poisonous, still trying to create divisions. Extremism is an issue for us all. We all must play our part in responding to it."

House of Commons leader Jack Straw recently caused controversy with his views that Muslim women should remove their headdress when visiting his Blackburn constituency.

The row has gathered momentum with the suspension of a Muslim teaching assistant Aishah Azmi for failing to remove her head dress in class.

According to reports the head of the Muslim Council of Britain, Muhammad Abdul Bari has written to Kelly claiming that recent ministerial statements over these issues has 'stigmatised the entire Muslim community'.

Bari on BBC Radio 4's Today programme commented: "What is happening, especially in the last few months, has been a barrage of demonisation of the Muslim community to such an extent that the community is now scared and the whole community feels vulnerable."

(DS/SP)