Anti-terror code 'would alienate most Muslims'

guardian.co.uk

The government is considering plans that would lead to thousands more British Muslims being branded as extremists, the Guardian has learned. The proposals are in a counterterrorism strategy which ministers and security officials are drawing up that is due to be unveiled next month.

Some say the plans would see views held by most Muslims in Britain being classed by the government as extreme.

According to a draft of the strategy, Contest 2 as it is known in Whitehall, people would be considered as extremists if:

• They advocate a caliphate, a pan-Islamic state encompassing many countries.

• They promote Sharia law.

• They believe in jihad, or armed resistance, anywhere in the world. This would include armed resistance by Palestinians against the Israeli military.

• They argue that Islam bans homosexuality and that it is a sin against Allah.

• They fail to condemn the killing of British soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Contest 2 would widen the definition of extremists to those who hold views that clash with what the government defines as shared British values. Those who advocate the wider definition say hardline Islamist interpretation of the Qur'an leads to views that are the root cause of the terrorism threat Britain faces. But opponents say the strategy would brand the vast majority of British Muslims as extremists and alienate them even further.

The Guardian has also learned of a separate secret Whitehall counterterrorism report advocating widening the definition of who is considered extremist. Not all in Whitehall agree with the proposals and one official source said plans to widen the definition were "incendiary" and could alienate Muslims, whose support in the counterterrorism effort is needed. There were also fears it could aid the far right.

Contest 2 is still being finalised by officials and ministers. Those considered extreme would not be targeted by the criminal law, but would be sidelined and denied public funds. Ed Husain, of the Quilliam Foundation thinktank, said the root causes of terrorism were extremist views, even if those advocating the views did not call for violence.

Husain, once an extremist himself, said: "Violent extremism is produced by Islamist extremism and it's only right to get into the root causes."

Inayat Bunglawala, a former spokesman for the Muslim Council of Great Britain, said such plans would affect many British Muslims. Bunglawala, who now runs Engage, which tries to get Muslims to participate in politics and civic society, said: "That would alienate the majority of the British Muslim public. It would be counterproductive and class most Muslims as extremists."
In a speech in December, the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, said the government's counterterrorism strategy had to include challenging nonviolent extremist groups that "skirt the fringes of the law ... to promote hate-filled ideologies".

The Contest strategy was put in place in 2003 as the UK beefed up its response to the threat of al-Qaida inspired terrorism.

But the security service's assessment shows no drop in those they consider dangerous and the UK's terror threat level remains at severe general.

The Home Office said: "We don't comment on leaked documents."

Richard Corbett MEP

UKIP's alliance with Geert Wilders proves a stark point

Another hole has been blown in UKIP's attempts to describe themselves as a non-racist party, with their invitation to the racist Dutch politician Geert Wilders who has been banned by the Home Office from entering the UK on the grounds that he would incite hatred and endanger public security.

Mr Wilders is the leader of the so-called Freedom Party in the Netherlands and has been ordered by the Dutch courts to stand trial against charges of inciting hatred by making the most inflammatory kind of anti-Islamic statements. He has compared the Koran to Hitler's Mein Kampf describing it as a "fascist book" and called for it to be banned. He was invited to show his film Fitna, which links the Koran to terrorism, at the House of Lords by UKIP peer Lord Pearson.

It is particularly sickening that UKIP and Mr Wilders are making themselves to be martyrs in this case, claiming that they are being denied the right to free speech. This is fatuous and they know it. In the same way that the likes of Abu Hamza have been arrested for inciting hatred and violence in Britain, so should Mr Wilders be barred from showing and then discussing a film that, in the words of Dutch Prime Minister Jens Balkenende, serves "no purpose other than to offend".

It is also revealing that Mr Wilders is that sort of character with whom UKIP would ally. Among his key policy platform include proposals to end the admittance of asylum seekers, ban Islamic schools, halt all Muslim immigration to the Netherlands and pay all settled immigrants to leave. These ideas would not be out of place in a BNP manifesto.

All of which provides further evidence that UKIP and their allies are anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and extremist. Lord Pearson has had the brass neck to describe the Home Office decision as "weak", "unacceptable" and, believe it or not, "appeasement". On the contrary, what is unacceptable is that UKIP should court such a man and then have the nerve to describe themselves as 'non-racist' and 'non-sectarian'. Such statements should be treated with the contempt they deserve.

Guild Officer Team Elections 2009

Do you want to make a difference to how your Guild is run?In March, every student will have their chance to elect the new Officer Team for 2009-2010 academic year, who will lead the Guild in campaigning for change and a better life for students. Being part of the Officer Team is a unique opportunity to change the lives of students for the better, whilst developing valuable skills in a challenging but rewarding environment.Nominations are now open for these Officer positions. These are divided up in Sabbatical (full time) and Non-sabbatical positions (part time). Further details about positions can be found here.

Sabbatical Positions - these are full time and can be done after your degree or you can take a year our from your course. These focus on different areas and involve lobbying the university and other organisations on issues affecting students. The job is paid.

Non sabbatical positions - these are part time and are done alongside your degree. These are more specific and will, on the whole, focus on working with specific groups of students, supporting their needs.Again, a full description of all positions is available here.

Sounds great - what do I do now? Pick up a nomination pack from reception - available from February 2nd.

You will need 10 nominations from fellow students, a manifesto and a 200 word written statement.

*Full list of positions*
Sabbatical Officer Team:
President
Vice President (Democracy & Resources)
Vice President (Education & Access) V
ice President (Housing & Community)
Vice President (Sport)
Vice President (Student Activities & Development)
Vice President (Welfare)

Non-Sabbatical Officer Team:
Ethical & Environmental Officer
Satellite Sites Officer
Womens’ Officer
Ethnic Minorities’
Officer Disabled Students’
Officer Community Action
Officer Home Students’ Officer
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Trans & Queer Students Officer
Anti Racism & Anti Fascism Officer
International Students Officer

Any questions? e-mail Hannah Lazell (Vice President Democracy and Resources) on h.lazell@guild.bham.ac.uk or democracy@guild.bham.ac.uk