UK muslim Police angry with Anti-terror Policy

A Muslim police body has criticized Britain’s anti-terror strategy for fuelling anti-Muslim sentiments and deepening divisions within British society, reported the Guardian. A Muslim police body has criticized Britain’s anti-terror strategy for fuelling anti-Muslim sentiments and deepening divisions within British society, reported the Guardian on Thursday, January 21.

“The strategies of Prevent were historically focused on so-called Islamist extremism,” the National Association of Muslim Police (NAMP) said in a memorandum to the Commons Select Committee on the Prevent Strategy.

“This has subjected the biggest black and ethnic minority community, and second biggest faith group, in an unprecedented manner, stigmatising them in the process.

Launched by the Home Office in 2003, the “Prevent” strategy is an updated version of the government counter-terrorism strategy (called Contest).

The government says the strategy aims to prevent Muslims from being lured into extremist ideologies.

"It can be argued that there is a connection in the rise of Islamophobia and our Prevent programme, as it feeds on the stereotypes that the media and some rightwing parties promote, ie that all Muslims are evil and non trustworthy."

"We deal with so-called Islamist extremists as [being] terrorist, whilst the right wing and separatist are dealt with as [being] extremist – hence facing lesser legal action.

Anti-Muslim

The police body warned that the anti-terror strategy has fuelled anti-Muslim sentiments in the country.

"The hatred towards Muslims has grown to a level that defies all logic and is an affront to British values,” it said.

“The climate is such that Muslims are subject to daily abuse in a manner that would be ridiculed by Britain, were this to occur anywhere else."

NAMP said that the strategy was "stigmatising" Muslims by focusing on "so-called Islamist extremism."

British Muslims, estimated at nearly two million, have been in the eye of storm since the 7/7 attacks.

They have repeatedly complained of maltreatment by police for no apparent reason other than being Muslim.

A Financial Times opinion poll showed that Britain is the most suspicious nation about Muslims.

NAMP warned that Muslims were subjected to “daily abuse” due to the strategy.

“We must not diminish our British values further by continuing to allow such behaviour and polices to continue unchecked.

“Never before has a community been mapped in [such] a manner,” NAMP said.

“It is frustrating to see this in a country that is a real pillar and example of freedom of expression and choice.

The police body warned that the strategy has deepened community divisions, warning of a repeat of similar rights of the 1970s and 1980s.

“We appear to have ignored the lessons learnt from these dark days.

“Our British system is a model for the world to follow, yet we have embarked on a journey that has put this very core of British values under real threat.”