Ruth Kelly Speaks on Islam
An analysis of Communtities Secretary Ruth Kelly's speech (read text) is presented here.
Also from the Muslim Council of Britain's website:
Ruth Kelly's speech yesterday to an invited Muslim audience contained much that was sensible. On the contentious issue of the niqab (face-veil), for example, she said: "This is ultimately an issue of informed personal choice. No-one is suggesting that in a free and democratic country the state should decide what its citizens can and cannot wear..."
She was also half-right, in my view, in reminding her listeners that: "Britain is a good place to be a Muslim. British Muslims are central to our political, business and social life. There are an increasing number of Muslims in the armed forces, in the police and in parliament."
I say only half-right, because as the secretary of state for communities and local government, it is of no little concern that she did not take this opportunity to also express her thoughts on the worrying anti-Muslim climate being deliberately stoked by some sections of the British media. Just recall some of the ridiculous stories that have qualified as national news in recent weeks and the harmful impact they will have had on perceptions of, and attitudes towards, ordinary British Muslims.
However, her speech will primarily be remembered for her pledge to financially support those groups which were actively committed to tackling extremism and her not so veiled criticism of the Muslim Council of Britain for its stance over the Holocaust Memorial Day.
The fact that the Muslim Council will not recognize the Holocaust IS cause for alarm. So is this...Talk about anti-Muslim climate and perceptions of Islam!
You tell me...what should the British Government should do?
Labels: Abu Izzadeen, dhimmitude, Muslim Council Of Britain, UK
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