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Town divided on citizen plan

by Damon Wilkinson
22/ 7/2008

PLANS to teach citizenship to young Muslims in Rochdale in a bid to stop them becoming extremists have divided opinion.

Trials of lessons will begin in several towns and cities in September under plans unveiled by the government.

Some Muslim groups have labelled the move ‘patronising’ saying the government’s involvement will alienate those most at risk.

But others have welcomed the plans, put forward by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, saying the issue needs to be tackled ‘head on’.

About £80M a year will be used to set up a board of 20 academic and theology experts at Cambridge University and to train and provide mosque teachers in Rochdale, London, Leicester, Birmingham, Oldham, and Bradford.

Ms Blears said: "People with a weak understanding of their faith are most vulnerable to extremism. Faith is not part of the problem, but it can be part of the solution. This is not an area for the government to intervene, but we will create space for others to act."

Mohammed Shafiq, of the Ramadhan Foundation, said: "I am very sceptical. The fact is this is set up by the government and will alienate those most at risk. I find it patronising the government is setting up an organisation to decide on contemporary Islamic issues, no one is telling Christians how to conduct church services. The government is avoiding these issues rather than analysing its own foreign policy, which is at the heart of these problems."

Majed Iqbal, a freelance journalist and internet blogger from Rochdale, said: "Why is the government spending millions and millions of pounds on this?

"We have no problem with extremism in Rochdale, but no one from the government has been here to talk to influential figures in the Muslim community."

But Imam Irfan Chisti, who teaches at Springhill High School, welcomed the plans, saying: "We as a Muslim community approached the government because theology is at the heart of the issue and we need to tackle it head on. As a teacher in the state system and in the mosques, I know how vulnerable our children are to ideas."

Mohammad Naeem, chief executive of the Rochdale Centre for Diversity, said the plans threaten to undermine work already being carried out in Rochdale.

He added: "Communities in Rochdale are very repsonsible and the council has already done a lot of good work around promoting community cohesion. I think having this thrust upon Rochdale from government could actually damage that progress."


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Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   What a load of Bull! More people have been killed and lives ruined through drug abuse than through so called "Muslim" terrorism. Perhaps we should teach citizenship to the smackheads on Drake Street trying to sell you every drug you want! The best way to prevent young Muslims from become extremists is for the government to withdraw it's 21st Century crusaders from Afghanistan and Iraq.
Henry Kelly Expat (Ireland), Ireland
23/07/2008 at 15:11
   I agree that central government don't know the Rochdale area and could be wasting more money. I am disappointed personally about the way our herritage is disappearing and lot of people of Rochdale agree. Many of our schools and beautiful brick buildings have been demolished only to be replaced by private cheap buildings. The only nice new buildings now in Rochdale are the Mosques. Accrington brick is very hard to get these days or expensive, so why are we not looking after our herritage.I found out recently that Heybrook school is earmarked for demolishion. What a shame! This is a historical building and should be saved. I attended this school with fellow muslims and there was never a problem about religion.A new all GIRLS muslim school is to be opened at the former High Birch Special School. What about equal opportunities and integration issues. The parents of these special children needed a small local school but it has been sold off. Rochdale council could start spending money in all areas of Rochdale for a change and treat everyone equally. We have lost many local libraries and money has never been spent on swimming baths or the running track at Springfield park. Please spend our money wisely to gain sustainability for everyone.
tyrena robinson
23/07/2008 at 14:42
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