Funding pledge to help tackle extremism

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has pleged funding to help those Muslim groups that oppose extremism.

Ms Kelly told a meeting of Muslim organisations opposed to extremism that proactive leadership would be rewarded: "It is not good enough to merely sit on the sidelines or pay lip service to fighting extremism. That is why I want a fundamental rebalancing of our relationship with Muslim organisations from now on. Since taking up my post, I have actively sought to develop relationships with a wider network of Muslim organisations, including those representing young people and women.

"In future, I am clear that our strategy of funding and engagement must shift significantly towards those organisations that are taking a proactive leadership role in tackling extremism and defending our shared values. It is only by defending our values that we will prevent extremists radicalising future generations of terrorists."

The Communities Secretary said: "I know this message will be challenging for some. I make no apologies for that. The scale of the threat means doing any less would be a dereliction of our duty. It would be letting down those within your communities who are leading the fight against the extremists. It would be ignoring our shared values.

"But I am equally clear this is not a just a problem for Muslim communities. It is one for all of us. And we must all play our part in responding to it. It is too important a battle for any of us to sit on the sidelines."

Ms Kelly also commented on the controversy surrounding Jack Straw's comments on Muslim women removing their veils. A view apparently backed by both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, which has outraged Muslim groups.

She said: "There is no doubt that in this current climate anything that touches on the integration of Muslim communities raises complex issues and will provoke passionate debate. But I am certain, as well, that trying to sweep disagreements under the carpet will ultimately be more dangerous than discussing them openly."

She concluded: "This is ultimately an issue of informed personal choice. No-one is suggesting that in a free and democratic country the state should decide what its citizens can and cannot wear, except in certain settings such as schools."

(SP/CD)