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Islamic Human Rights Commission

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9 November 2006

Press Release: Beckett’s Comments Deny Reality of Life in the UK

The Islamic Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned by the government’s abject refusal to accept that its policies are largely contributing to the rise of terrorism.

Margaret Beckett’s comments today, in once again urging British Muslims to speak out against terrorism, falsely suggest that hitherto Muslims have not been doing so. This repeated habit of focussing on the Muslim community is nothing more than a diversionary tactic to deflect attention away from the role played by Britain’s domestic and foreign policies in the rise of terrorism.

IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh stated:

“Ms Beckett wants Muslims to speak up about the reality of life in the UK. The undeniable reality of life in the UK is that anti-Muslim hostility and Islamophobia from senior politicians, the media and society, have escalated on a monumental scale in recent years.”

“The other obvious reality is that the government is exploiting the Muslim community as a tool to deny its major role in creating a less safe Britain.”

“Indeed it is the government, not the Muslim community, which has a “special ability” to make a difference in the struggle against extremism, by implementing fair and just policies at home and abroad.”

For more information please contact (+44) 20 8904 4222, or (44) 7958 522196 or email: info@ihrc.org .[ ENDS ]

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org