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Campus radicals 'serious threat' Campus radicals 'serious threat'
(about 2 hours later)
Universities and colleges in England are being urged by the government to take seriously the problem of Islamic extremism on their campuses.Universities and colleges in England are being urged by the government to take seriously the problem of Islamic extremism on their campuses.
The Department for Education and Skills is issuing guidance on Friday about tackling the promotion of "extremism in the name of Islam". Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell has issued practical guidance about tackling the promotion of "extremism in the name of Islam".
Officials believe there is a serious although not widespread threat of violent extremism on campuses.Officials believe there is a serious although not widespread threat of violent extremism on campuses.
The government says the guidance is not about targeting Muslim students.The government says the guidance is not about targeting Muslim students.
The education department decided the guidance was necessary after discussions with universities, Muslim students and law enforcement agencies. The Department for Education and Skills decided the guidance was necessary after discussions with universities, Muslim students and law enforcement agencies.
It aims to promote safety in educational institutions and ensure that staff and universities are taking the matter seriously.It aims to promote safety in educational institutions and ensure that staff and universities are taking the matter seriously.
We can't be sure of the extent of the problem and indeed we can't be sure of the precise way in which campuses and colleges and possibly schools feature in this deadly activity Professor Anthony Glees, security expert Students should be interviewed in order to make sure that they are committed to academic study Professor Anthony Glees, security expert
Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said there is a real and serious threat, although he did not want colleges to start spying on students. Mr Rammell said there is a real and serious threat but that he did not want colleges to start spying on students.
"There is a serious issue here, we do have to face up to it, but this is also about building community cohesion on our campuses," he told the BBC."There is a serious issue here, we do have to face up to it, but this is also about building community cohesion on our campuses," he told the BBC.
"This is about talking to them, it is about listening to their concerns and it is about working with the vast majority of all students, Muslim and non-Muslims alike, who oppose extremism.""This is about talking to them, it is about listening to their concerns and it is about working with the vast majority of all students, Muslim and non-Muslims alike, who oppose extremism."
Intelligence and security expert Professor Anthony Glees, who published a report last year warning of the risks of students being radicalised, said he believed there should be far more checks on students from abroad.Intelligence and security expert Professor Anthony Glees, who published a report last year warning of the risks of students being radicalised, said he believed there should be far more checks on students from abroad.
"Students should be interviewed in order to make sure that they are committed to academic study," he said."Students should be interviewed in order to make sure that they are committed to academic study," he said.
"We can't be sure of the extent of the problem and indeed we can't be sure of the precise way in which campuses and colleges and possibly schools feature in this deadly activity.""We can't be sure of the extent of the problem and indeed we can't be sure of the precise way in which campuses and colleges and possibly schools feature in this deadly activity."
In October, the BBC reported that the radicalisation of students by Islamist groups was a growing problem on some university campuses.In October, the BBC reported that the radicalisation of students by Islamist groups was a growing problem on some university campuses.
Senior academics warned that the authorities were doing little to tackle the problem.Senior academics warned that the authorities were doing little to tackle the problem.
'Exaggeration''Exaggeration'
One London university has appointed a moderate Muslim cleric to steer a small number of students away from extremism.One London university has appointed a moderate Muslim cleric to steer a small number of students away from extremism.
But the Federation of Student Islamic Societies insists radicalism is not widespread.But the Federation of Student Islamic Societies insists radicalism is not widespread.
Head of student affairs Faisal Hanjara said he believed such a step was not generally useful because it tended to exaggerate the threat and blow the issue out of proportion.Head of student affairs Faisal Hanjara said he believed such a step was not generally useful because it tended to exaggerate the threat and blow the issue out of proportion.
He is also worried that university and college authorities will start to look for things that are not there.He is also worried that university and college authorities will start to look for things that are not there.
When a draft version of the guidance was leaked in October, representatives from the University College Union accused the government of wanting college authorities to engage in "anti-Muslim McCarthyism".When a draft version of the guidance was leaked in October, representatives from the University College Union accused the government of wanting college authorities to engage in "anti-Muslim McCarthyism".
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly denied the measures were about "picking on" individual Muslim students, adding: "It is about sensible monitoring of activities to make sure individual student campuses are protected."Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly denied the measures were about "picking on" individual Muslim students, adding: "It is about sensible monitoring of activities to make sure individual student campuses are protected."
The group representing university vice-chancellors, Universities UK, also warned of the danger of targeting a particular group.The group representing university vice-chancellors, Universities UK, also warned of the danger of targeting a particular group.
Its President Drummond Bone suggested this could be counterproductive.Its President Drummond Bone suggested this could be counterproductive.