Muslim centre responds to report claims

9:26am Thursday 1st November 2007

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AN education centre has responded to claims in a report that it was selling "extremist literature".

Researchers who visited the Muslim Education Centre in Totteridge Drive, High Wycombe, during a year-long study say they found seven examples of extremist literature.

The claims were published in a report called 'The Hijacking of British Islam - How extremist literature is subverting mosques in the UK', by the right-wing think tank Policy Exchange.

THE Muslim Education Centre has now issued a statement in response to the report.

It reads: "We have had an opportunity to look at the report produced by the right-wing 'think tank' Policy Exchange and the article in The Times . Before commenting on the contents, it is worth noting that this document is just the latest in a line of attacks by Policy Exchange on mainstream Muslim organisation (sic). They are clearly intent on using the media to further their divisive agenda to create sectarianism amongst law abiding British Muslims.

"The Muslim Education Centre views the Policy Exchange's latest offering as another divisive attempt to drive a wedge between British Muslims and the rest of society. The MEC strongly condemns fundamentalism and does not tolerate any messages of hate nor do we promote or accept such actions, whatever its source.

"The MEC would like to mention the statement issued by Dr. Muhammed Abdul Bari, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain: Today's report lists extracts from a number of books on sale in some Muslim bookshops which they deem to be unacceptable. The plain fact is that if you deliberately go looking for controversial material then you will be guaranteed to find it somewhere in a bookshop. Muslim bookshops are no exception. Yet tellingly, it is only Muslim bookshops and institutions that Policy Exchange calls to be regulated. British Muslims will not be intimidated by these futile and irresponsible recommendations.' "A further substantiation of the above statement is that the so called 'think tank' failed to notice or mention a book titled 'The women of Paradise' published by the same Publishing House shelved by the book mentioned in 'The Times'.

"Regarding the book itself every statement that has been mentioned about the book has been referred out of context and nothing of any illegal nature is mentioned. It is merely a guide as to how one should live, and then it has been left up to the individual to accept or reject it. A book cannot be judged merely by a few quotes.

"Every book shop holds some sort of controversial material to which no one cries out to remove such materials off the shelf and does not necessary (sic) mean that that the book seller or the organisation hold such views. The report itself concedes it should also be emphasised that the discovery of offensive material at a specific institution should in no way be taken to mean that that institution necessarily condones, permits or encourages such literature'.

"Even religious works go against the Laws of this Country such as the Bible, Torah, and Quran etc., but it has been left to an individual to be the judge.

"The Muslim Education does not promote anything other than a cohesive and tolerant society. We strenuously highlight that views should not be taken out of context for any agenda, so that they increase the prevalent evil of Islamaphobia.

"We must all unite to fight any individual, organisations or bodies, including the camouflaged think tanks that are trying to cause discord with the harmonious Muslim community."