Last week I was called by a CNN journalist in London requesting me to help them in a programme they were making on the moderation programme supposedly introduced in Mosques, prisons and schools by the former [UK] Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. I suggested they call two large mosques in London and ask them if they have any classes or programmes taking place in the Mosques.

Yesterday, they called again informing me that they were not able to get in touch with anyone who would comment or knew the government’s proposal and requested me to do a short interview to be broadcast in the evening news.

Knowing that the media is not always Muslim friendly, and the reputation of CNN on covering these topical subjects, plus the previous programmes and interviews I had done for CNN and others (which did not always go as planned), I was reluctant to accept. But they insisted and wanted an opinion from London, so I took it as my religious duty to help in any way I can, and also because I knew little bit about the government’s proposal to which I hinted at in an earlier post on Between the Lines.

The basic premise of the proposal is that British Muslims are being radicalised in Mosques, prisons, and schools by extremist and fundamentalist Imams and preachers, and since people of Pakistani origin constitute the majority of British Muslims, the government seeks to invite ‘moderate’ Imams from Pakistan to combat the ever increasing number of Muslims being targeted by extremist ‘Imams and preachers’.

It is commendable that the government seeks to tackle extremism however; this initiative will only further alienate Muslims and more specifically Muslim youth. How will they define who is moderate or who is an extremist? Many people believe that this is only another government tactic to silence the existing mainstream Imams and preachers who speak out against the UK foreign policy.

They believe that those who are being imported will not indulge themselves in politics and will focus on piety issues confined to homes and the corners of mosques. In effect making them government stooges.

It is already known that the very people they wish to educate (youth) do not relate to Imams from Pakistan, they are more inclined towards scholars and Imams from the West who are familair with our political, social and spiritual affairs and thus are in a better position to eradicate radicalism in the society. The bottom line is the Government does not wish to work with these Imams because they know that they cannot be silenced or influenced.

Many people are suggesting this ‘prevent’ programme of the government is counterproductive due to the reasons mentioned abov,e and because the Mosques and schools are already teaching moderation and balance, it is enshrined in our scriptures that we be moderate in all our affairs.

They do not need the Government to tell them that. In addition, most of the Imams from abroad will not understand the psychology of Western Muslims. Furthermore, many existing Imams in the mosques across the UK are already from Pakistan and such other countries. Why hasn’t the radicalisation ceased?

The ways the government can eradicate extremism is by acknowledging that their foreign policy and their draconian laws against Muslims play an immense part in radicalising Muslims. They need to work with mainstream Muslim organisations such as MCB, IFE, MAB etc. These organisations are working at the grassroots level and have the support of many Muslims.

They need to be provided more resources and room to carry out their work. They also need to allow the existing mainstream Imams in Britain to do their job effectively by providing them resources and platforms to preach a balanced Islam.

Returning to the interview, it actually went well and guess what? They did not seem to have a hidden agenda! Becky Anderson was friendly and was not intimidating like some journalists. It was broadcast last night at 9pm on the connect the world programme.