Senior Labour ministers comments on Islam

[The Bacon Guy]

BBC News | Politics | Cash to root out extremists (below)

Muslim groups which prove they are trying to outlaw extremism within their ranks are to receive financial support, Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly says. Cash will be available for projects that involve women, that build bridges between communities and are in touch with young people, she said. She said it was "not good enough" to pay lip service to tackling extremism. But some Muslim groups condemned her, saying the government was trying to create its own "state-sponsored Islam". In a direct appeal to Muslims, Ms Kelly stressed that tackling the problem of extremism was not theirs alone. "This is a shared problem ... But I do say that without you fully on side we will fail. Your voice is more powerful than mine and your actions can be more effective. "Unless moderates can establish themselves at the centre of their communities and faith, extremists could grow in strength and influence."

Ms Kelly was also critical of groups who chose to boycott commemorations, such as Holocaust Memorial Day, although she insisted it was their right to do so. The Muslim Council of Britain, which has received government grants, has not been involved in the event commemorating the murder of six million Jews by the Nazis, saying it should be expanded to cover all genocides.

The Guardian | Education | The Veil in Universities (below)

Bill Rammell, the higher education minister, today weighed into the debate over Muslim women wearing the veil by offering his support to universities that banned the full-face veil. He repeated the views he expressed on EducationGuardian.co.uk last month after a year of visits to university campuses to talk to Muslim students. Muslim students were entitled to ask for tolerance and consideration but there were limits to what they could and should ask for, argued Mr Rammell. He said that Imperial College was wrong to attempt to ban women students from wearing the hijab, which covers their heads. The university's proposed code was amended after protests. But Imperial was right to insist on banning the niqab which covers the face, argued Mr Rammell.

I agree with Ruth Kelly on her first comment (regarding cash for tackling extremism). Instead of screaming "discrimination" every time the government engages them over the issue of terrorism, the Muslim community should accept that there is a problem within their ranks. Consequently, if they want government funding, they should comply with the government's plans for tackling extremism.

However, I have trouble seeing her point of view with regards to Muslim organizations boycotting Holocaust Memorial Day. I can't see any reason why they should attend an event to commemorate an event which has absolutely no relevance to Islam. If it is, as Ruth Kelly claims, really an event to commemorate all genocides, the name should be changed to Genocide Memorial Day, rather than being named after a specific genocide. Until then, the memorial day has no relevance for Muslims.

Finally, I am in full agreement with Mr Rammel's comments on universities which ban the veil, particularly for staff. Education is all about communication. Having a lecturer in the veil will impair communication and hence affect the education. If universities feel that the veil could lower their standards of education, it is only right that they ban it.

[rhod01]

I wish Ruth Kelly would dissapear. She's so reactionary

[The Bacon Guy]

Quote by: rhod01 I wish Ruth Kelly would dissapear. She's so reactionary

How very true. Jack straw is the real hero here for having the courage to initiate debate on Muslim issues which are all too often pussy footed around. Kelly and Rammell were basically following his lead at a safe distance. Nonetheless, I think they raise some valid points.

[G. Adams]

Why should public money be gifted to Muslims tackling extremism? Should I be given tax payers money if I prevent fights in the street?

Ruth Kelly is a scumbag, and a useless one at that. Why is it we have no prominent, strong and effective females in British government? Claire Short is about to be thrown out of the labour party, Dianne Abbot doesn't stand a look in even when Brown comes in. What have we got? Cowardly careerists who bend over for Blair and his reactionary statism.

Rammel was right in supporting universities ability to enforce a no veils policy. Not for communications reasons, but because a university should have control over it's internal policies. If Muslim women object to Imperials position, then they should find another university, and it will be Imperials responsibility to deal with the consequences.