‘Action is needed to help Muslims integrate’

THE GOVERNMENT should adopt a definition of anti-Muslim prejudice and commission an independent review of its Prevent programme to help Muslims integrate into British society, a new report has found.

More formal partnerships and events across communities are also called for by a major new commission chaired by former attorney general Dominic Grieve. The commission found a strong sense that Muslims and Islam are “unfairly targeted”, with the fear of discrimination putting off young British Muslims from engaging in politics and other aspects of public life.

The anti-extremism Prevent programme was also raised as an issue in every one of the 11 cities the commission visited to gather evidence. The commissioners believe tackling extremism and radicalisation would be “better achieved with a programme that has greater trust, particularly from the UK’s Muslim communities”.

The report, The Missing Muslims: Unlocking British Muslim Potential for the Benefit of All, calls on ministers to come up with a definition of anti-Muslim prejudice, in the same way antiSemitism was formally defined last year. Conservative MP Mr Grieve said: “The shocking terrorist attacks in Westminster, Manchester, London Bridge and Finsbury Park demonstrate the terrible impact extremism has on innocent citizens. The response to those attacks, with communities coming together in unity and defiance, demonstrates why the recommendations in this report should be actioned as a matter of priority, so the UK can build on the positive work already happening.”

Other recommendations include better leadership among Muslim communities and agreed standards for women at mosques and Islamic centres.