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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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11 October 2006

Press Release: Kelly’s Call for Honest Debate Rooted in Dishonesty

The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is deeply concerned by comments made by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly today to Muslim organisations.

IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh stated:

“It was clearly dishonest of Ms Kelly to state that faith-based discrimination is outlawed in Britain, when Muslims, unlike Jews and Sikhs, have got no legal protection against discrimination (with the exception of employment).”

“To try to take credit for a mandatory EU Directive outlawing religious discrimination in the workplace is symbolic of this government’s policy of all spin and no substance.”

In response to Ms Kelly’s comments that government funding would be reserved for those groups proactively tackling “extremism”, Massoud Shadjareh stated:

“The deliberate confusion surrounding the word ‘extremism’ is a ploy by the government to use its financial muscle to socially engineer a new brand of Islam which will be subservient to its foreign policy.”

“Ms Kelly should be genuinely honest and recognise that there is a tremendous commitment to a multicultural multi-religious Britain throughout the Muslim community irrespective of its diverse views on foreign and domestic policy.”

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
Web: www.ihrc.org
info@ihrc.org

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