Britain's problem with Islamic extremists worse than previously thought
Published by Avi Green on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 12:06 PM.
The Telegraph (via Jihad Watch) gives the following news about Britain's increasing Muslim problem:
Increasing numbers have become so alienated from mainstream society that they could even lend their support to jihadi terrorism, the study claims.I don't think it's so much a problem of Muslims not trusting the police as it is a case of that they either don't want them to know where the extremists are, or they're afraid of reprisals from their own ilk. As for trying to win the trust of the Muslim community, for heaven's sake, it's not that simple, and I don't think it's what they should actually be trying either. Rather, they should be trying to combat the terrorist threat by facing it seriously, mainly by studying the exact teachings of the Quran to see if that's what leads to all this. And that, sadly, is what they're not willing to do, out of "cultural sensitivity."
While most reject violence, many distrust police and are reluctant to inform on extremists.
The report was commissioned by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) after last year's failed bomb attacks in London's West End and at Glasgow Airport. It is to be discussed at Acpo's annual conference this week.
In the most comprehensive research of its kind to date, Prof Martin Innes, of the Universities' Police Science Institute in Cardiff, led a team of researchers which carried out face-to-face and telephone interviews with more than 600 Muslims in London, Birmingham and Oldham.
They found that the radicalisation of young British Muslims was more widespread than previously feared, with "a disturbing proportion" expressing support for extremist elements.
The report, which is being distributed among senior officers, Whitehall officials and ministers, finds that:
• Anger and disaffection are "widespread in sections of Muslim youth".
• There is tacit support for extremist violence within sections of the Muslim community.
• Police need to do more to win the trust of Muslim communities if they are to tackle radicalisation.
• Many Muslims distrust police and are reluctant to inform on extremists, preferring to deal with problems inside their communities.
The study, entitled Hearts and Minds and Eyes and Ears: Reducing Radicalisation Risks Through Reassurance Orientated Policing, warns that "the threat to the UK from jihadist terrorism may increase in the future".
It concludes: "Increasing numbers of young Muslim people are becoming sufficiently disaffected with their lives in liberal-democratic-capitalist societies that they might be willing to support violent terrorism to articulate their disillusionment and disengagement."
Across Britain, the security services have said they are tracking 2,000 individuals suspected of having links to terrorism, investigating 200 networks and monitoring 30 plots.
Professor Innes's report warns that Islamist terror groups are increasingly operating away from traditional Muslim areas, and are seeking new ways to radicalise vulnerable young people. It comes as police investigate alleged terror plots in Exeter and Bristol.
Anti-terrorism detectives have remarked on the speed with which young people have been converted to extremism and become involved in operations.
Labels: islam, jihad, londonistan
