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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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4 June 2007

Press Release: IHRC Response to Tony Blair’s Statement to Train Imams in UK Universities

The Islamic Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned by the recent statement made by Tony Blair to have more imams and religious leaders trained in the UK. He also pledged £1m for British universities which teach Islamic Studies courses, ‘re-designed to challenge extremism.’

In response to this statement, Chair of IHRC, Massoud Shadjareh stated:

“It is totally unacceptable that preachers of any faith should be trained by secular universities. This sort of interference is nothing but social engineering designed to highlight Islam as a problem rather than a solution to extremism.”

IHRC calls upon the British government to respect the religious freedom of its citizens and to ensure that it is not obstructed in anyway.

For more information, please contact IHRC on (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44) 7958 522 196 or email info@ihrc.org
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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