Britain to set up group to combat radical Muslim imams after killing
Source: Agencies |
May 27, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
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THE British government, facing criticism over the killing of a soldier by suspected Islamists in a London street, is to set up a group to combat radical Muslim preachers and others whose words could encourage violence.
Prime Minister David Cameron's office said yesterday the group aimed to fight radicalism in schools and mosques, tighten checks on inflammatory internet material, and disrupt the "poisonous narrative" of hardline clerics.
"It will assess the range of strategies to disrupt individuals who may be influential in fostering extremism. It needs to confront those religious leaders who promote violence head on," it said in a statement.
The killing of soldier Lee Rigby, hacked to death near his London barracks on Wednesday, fuelled public anger about radical Islam. It has also raised questions over whether more could have done more to prevent the attack and put pressure on Cameron to tackle suspected militants more forcefully.
Witnesses said the soldier's killers shouted Islamist slogans during the attack. Bystanders filmed one of the suspects saying it was in revenge for Britain's involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, are under guard in hospital after being shot and arrested on suspicion of murder. Media reports said Adebolajo handed out extremist literature and made "rambling and intense" street lectures.
Home Secretary Theresa May said thousands were at risk of being radicalized.
"You have people who are at different points on what could be a path to violent extremism," May told the BBC. "We need to look at the laws."
Opposition Labour lawmaker Hazel Blears said people vulnerable to radicals were spotted too late and government cuts had weakened the fight against them. She told a Sunday newspaper that the government had "abandoned the territory."
Prime Minister David Cameron's office said yesterday the group aimed to fight radicalism in schools and mosques, tighten checks on inflammatory internet material, and disrupt the "poisonous narrative" of hardline clerics.
"It will assess the range of strategies to disrupt individuals who may be influential in fostering extremism. It needs to confront those religious leaders who promote violence head on," it said in a statement.
The killing of soldier Lee Rigby, hacked to death near his London barracks on Wednesday, fuelled public anger about radical Islam. It has also raised questions over whether more could have done more to prevent the attack and put pressure on Cameron to tackle suspected militants more forcefully.
Witnesses said the soldier's killers shouted Islamist slogans during the attack. Bystanders filmed one of the suspects saying it was in revenge for Britain's involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, are under guard in hospital after being shot and arrested on suspicion of murder. Media reports said Adebolajo handed out extremist literature and made "rambling and intense" street lectures.
Home Secretary Theresa May said thousands were at risk of being radicalized.
"You have people who are at different points on what could be a path to violent extremism," May told the BBC. "We need to look at the laws."
Opposition Labour lawmaker Hazel Blears said people vulnerable to radicals were spotted too late and government cuts had weakened the fight against them. She told a Sunday newspaper that the government had "abandoned the territory."
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