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Islamic Human Rights Commission

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14 June 2007

Press Release: By Ignoring Exclusion by Majority, Cohesion Report Causes Further Marginalisation

The Islamic Human Rights Commission is very critical of today’s report published by the Commission on Integration and Cohesion. While the report does contain some positive aspects, such as the need for transparency in the allocation of local authority resources, these points have been made in numerous reports in the past by both governmental and non-governmental bodies, including IHRC’s own report on the Oldham riots.

IHRC’s primary concern with the findings of the report is that it ignores the reality that cohesion is a 2-way street requiring obligations from all sectors of society, majority and minority. By ignoring the reality of exclusion by the majority, the report actually contributes to further marginalisation and isolation of the minority.

IHRC further notes that the Commission was reportedly established in the wake of the July 7 bombings to deal with issues of terrorism. The Commission’s report wilfully ignores the reality that the July 7 bombers spoke fluent English, went to mainstream schools, and were completely integrated into British society. IHRC is deeply concerned with this attempt to link cohesion or lack of it with terrorism.

IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh stated:

“This report strengthens and encourages the racism of the majority by deliberately not addressing cohesion in a comprehensive manner and by being very selective in its consultation.”

For more information, please contact IHRC on (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44) 7958 522 196 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

Web: www.ihrc.org.uk