Monday’s letters: We should work together for a society that lives in harmony

From: Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, Chief executive, QED-UK, Manningham Lane, Bradford.

IN response to the Government’s renewed Prevent campaign (Yorkshire Post, June 7) we urge Theresa May, the Home Secretary, to spend her new money in transparent and effective ways in Bradford and Leeds, and indeed in all selected cities, to address some of the root causes of the problems and not just the symptoms.

More work needs to be done to address the high levels of poverty that exist in the British Muslim communities. Among some of these groups, the poverty levels are currently standing at three times the national average.

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Many well qualified British Muslims find it much harder to get jobs and those who do remain in low level employment.

Their representations in senior jobs in public, private and the mainstream sectors are negligible.

QED has been raising these points with the relevant individuals and organisations for over two decades but, despite the rhetoric, the position has not changed that much. We also appeal that this is an opportunity for a greater understanding of British Muslims and their culture.

The vast majority of them share the common decent British and human values because this is what Islam also teaches them – contrary to what some might think.

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We must all work together as British citizens to ensure that British Muslims are accepted as a part of the multi-cultural society of which so rightly proud.

We also urge the disaffected Muslim youth not to find solace in the company of the extremely tiny minority of extremist activists as this is also against their religion.

Bradford-based charity QED-UK has been working for 21 years to address these issues to create a harmonious society that values diversity and where there is respect for all, irrespective of their background.

From: Jennifer Hunter, Farfield Avenue, Knaresborough.

WITH reference to your Editorial (Yorkshire Post, June 8), I wholeheartedly support the view that language is the key to integration.

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If people are able to communicate easily and effectively with each other using a common language, there is a greater chance of mutual understanding and compromise.

However, the use of language involves far more than debate and conversation. These are speaking skills, and although competence regarding the spoken word is an invaluable asset, listening skills are of paramount importance.

In order to break down cultural barriers, people who hold extremist views need to be prepared to listen to those whose views are moderate and, furthermore, they must accept that most of us in this country do not condone violent acts and blowing up innocent civilians.

The London bombings took place almost six years ago and during that time there has been ample time and scope for debate about extremism and how to prevent terrorist attacks, yet the threat of terrorism remains at the forefront of the nation’s mind.

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At this time, I feel particularly concerned because one of the week’s main stories has been about our universities being breeding grounds for promoting extremism. Apparently, 40 English universities have been identified as places where “there may be a particular risk of radicalisation or recruitment on campus”.

This suggests to me that very many young people have been placed in an unacceptable, vulnerable position and could easily be subjected to extremist propaganda. Moreover, I am certain that many older people realise how easily young minds can be influenced and manipulated – after all, we were all young once and I am aware of how idealistic I was in my approach to life as a university student.

Forgive me for being rather old-fashioned and, perhaps, somewhat naïve, but I was brought up to believe that universities were seats of learning and that it was a great privilege to be educated in higher educational environments.

The time has come for the policy of appeasement regarding extremists to be replaced by one of direct, positive action. In 1938, the then Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, waved a piece of white paper in front of photographers and advocated the policy of appeasement of one of the most notable dictators and extremists of the 20th century.

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We know what happened the following year as historical events have testified the rapid descent into conflict. I am sure that my view will not be lauded by many people, but ordinary citizens deserve better than to feel afraid whenever they travel by public transport or decide to go abroad to enjoy a well-earned holiday.

When the Home Secretary has devised a suitable strategy to combat the rise of extremism, perhaps an exemplary starting point would be to scrutinise those universities which have recently been identified as “high-risk” places.