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| Britain |
| Mosque image problem post-7 July |
| 2006-05-13 |
| The London bombings created the perception that mosques require "close attention in the war on terrorism", says the Muslim Council of Britain. A report on how attitudes towards Muslims have changed said the impression was these places of worship offer extremists a sympathetic ear. General Secretary Sir Iqbal Sacranie said it was a big challenge to change this unjustified reputation. The council discussed how to do this at a conference in Manchester. "In Britain, mosques have enjoyed the same autonomy as other places of worship. "However, the tragedy of [7 July] spawned new and aggressive thinking in some quarters. These quarters contend that mosques and imams require close attention in the 'war on terrorism'," said Sir Iqbal. "The perception outside the community is not very favourable. There is negative stereotyping that mosques are somehow related with criminal activity. This is totally untrue. There is no such activity taking place in the mosque." There are more than 1,000 mosques in the UK, and plans were under way for these to not just be a places of prayer but a focal point for the wider community. Muslim leaders gathered in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, on Saturday to endorse the new approach. The report also recommended setting up an advisory body chosen by, and accountable to, the British Muslim community. Sir Iqbal added that government measures, such as the consultation floated on the closure of places of worship last year, risked alienating mosques further. Earlier this week, the council joined calls for a public inquiry into the attacks in which suicide bombers killed 52 and injured more than 700. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #10 The UK Government should seize them all, bulldoze them, and prohibit the practice of Islam in Britain the same way it prohibits the practice of Thuggee. The message to Muslims should be: "We've had enough of you murdering, seditious bastards. If you want to openly practice your death cult, do it elsewhere--like back in the hellholes your ancestors came from." |
| Posted by: mac 2006-05-13 18:38 |
| #9 The mosques have an image problem? How can that be? |
| Posted by: Snump Ebbons4287 2006-05-13 17:15 |
| #8 Yes. Very. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2006-05-13 17:07 |
| #7 Sir Iqbal added that government measures, such as the consultation floated on the closure of places of worship last year, risked alienating mosques further. "Don't you dare look into what we're doing, or we'll get even more violent." Anyone else sick of the threats that CONSTANTLY flow from supposedly moderate spokesmen? |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2006-05-13 16:04 |
| #6 the impression was these places of worship offer extremists a sympathetic ear Gosh, I can't imagine why that would be. |
| Posted by: DMFD 2006-05-13 15:29 |
| #5 "There is negative stereotyping that mosques are somehow related with criminal activity. This is totally untrue. There is no such activity taking place in the mosque." Perhaps because it is not considered by the moskks as "criminal"? |
| Posted by: Fordesque 2006-05-13 14:41 |
| #4 Finsbury |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-05-13 14:15 |
| #3 yes it does. The liberals will believe any lie that gives them cover for washing their hands of the difficult decisions and actions. Easier to stick their head in the sand and believe the beautiful lies. |
| Posted by: 2b 2006-05-13 13:32 |
| #2 Try sending an arabic speaker to the mosques. What they say in English doesn't count. |
| Posted by: Thinemp Whimble2412 2006-05-13 13:21 |
| #1 They should take up morris dancing to hide amongst the peoples. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-05-13 12:53 |