This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/17/society-of-mosques-to-boycott-anti-terror-prevent-programme

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Society of Mosques to boycott anti terror Prevent programme Society of Mosques to boycott 'racist' anti-terror Prevent programme
(35 minutes later)
A society of mosques that represents up to 70,000 Muslims has vowed to boycott the government’s anti-terrorism Prevent programme after accusing the policy of being a racist attack on the Islamic community.A society of mosques that represents up to 70,000 Muslims has vowed to boycott the government’s anti-terrorism Prevent programme after accusing the policy of being a racist attack on the Islamic community.
The Waltham Forest Council of Mosques made the move in the wake of increasing tensions between the area’s council and the Muslim community.The Waltham Forest Council of Mosques made the move in the wake of increasing tensions between the area’s council and the Muslim community.
It is the first time that a council of mosques has issued such a boycott and will be seen as a blow to the government’s attempt to involve mosques’ religious communities in the fight against radicalisation. It is the first time a council of mosques has issued such a boycott and it will be seen as a blow to the government’s attempt to involve religious communities in the fight against radicalisation.
The WFCOM statement was triggered by a motion to a meeting of Waltham Forest Council on Thursday endorsing the need for the controversial Prevent programme and an associated programme known as BRIT, launched to identify signs of radicalisation in primary school children. The WFCOM statement was triggered by a motion at a meeting of Waltham Forest council on Thursday endorsing the need for the controversial Prevent programme and an associated programme known as Brit, launched to identify signs of radicalisation in primary school children.
The council of mosques condemns the council for linking the high profile incident of a man stabbing someone at Leytonstone tube station earlier this month while shouting “this is for Syria” to the need to implement the BRIT programme in schools . The council of mosques condemns the council for linking the high profile incident of a man stabbing someone at Leytonstone tube station earlier this month while shouting “this is for Syria” to the need to implement the Brit programme in schools.
“We endorse the manner in which the police dealt with such an incendiary situation, “ says the council of mosques statement. “It provided the community with a sense of reassurance. It is shameful how politics is being manipulated to implement a programme which asks questions such as: “We endorse the manner in which the police dealt with such an incendiary situation,” says the council of mosques statement. “It provided the community with a sense of reassurance. It is shameful how politics is being manipulated to implement a programme which asks questions such as:
- I believe that my religion is the only correct one: True/False- I believe that my religion is the only correct one: True/False
- God has a purpose for me: True/False- God has a purpose for me: True/False
- I would mind if a family of a different race or religion moved next door: True/False.”- I would mind if a family of a different race or religion moved next door: True/False.”
The statement goes on to say: “The project itself and Prevent in general is an ill-conceived and flawed policy. It is racist, and overtly targets members of the Muslim faith. This has been demonstrated by organisations who are collecting data on referrals to the Channel programme.” The statement goes on to say: “The project itself and Prevent in general is an ill-conceived and flawed policy. It is racist, and overtly targets members of the Muslim faith. This has been demonstrated by organisations who are collecting data on referrals to the Channel programme.
“When a local authority decides to enact a programme that will have the potency to alienate a huge part of their constituency, democratically they must do an Equality Impact Assessment. We are yet to see this and whether it exists. Surely there must be some governance mechanisms in place, as there is clear evidence of its pernicious racist targeting of very young Muslim children. Where is the accountability? “When a local authority decides to enact a programme that will have the potency to alienate a huge part of their constituency, democratically they must do an equality impact assessment. We are yet to see this and whether it exists. Surely there must be some governance mechanisms in place, as there is clear evidence of its pernicious racist targeting of very young Muslim children. Where is the accountability?
“We see the BRIT project as another tool being used (like the Prevent strategy) to spy and denigrate the Muslim community and cause distrust. We have no confidence in the BRIT project and the Prevent strategy overall.” “We see the Brit project as another tool being used (like the Prevent strategy) to spy and denigrate the Muslim community and cause distrust. We have no confidence in the Brit project and the Prevent strategy overall.”
Irfan Akhtar, a member of the council of mosques, said there was a lot of anger about the council linking the Leytonstone tube station incident with the need for BRIT and Prevent. Irfan Akhtar, a member of the council of mosques, said there was a lot of anger about the council linking the Leytonstone tube station incident with the need for Brit and Prevent.
“We totally support the need for community cohesion but BRIT and Prevent have caused nothing but divisions,” he said. “This racist policy is targeting Muslims. We want to work with teachers and protect children against extremism but this is not the way to do it. It is particularly concerning that there is no lower age limit for the BRIT programme so children as young as four could be targeted. Teachers are being asked to spy on children and they are opposed to this” “We totally support the need for community cohesion but Brit and Prevent have caused nothing but divisions,” he said. “This racist policy is targeting Muslims. We want to work with teachers and protect children against extremism but this is not the way to do it. It is particularly concerning that there is no lower age limit for the Brit programme so children as young as four could be targeted. Teachers are being asked to spy on children and they are opposed to this.”