Communities Secretary Eric Pickles sent a letter to Muslim leaders following the Paris attacks, urging them to do more to tackle extremism. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) responded by accusing Pickles of fuelling Islamophobia and misunderstanding Islam. The MCB’s response is not surprising, given its track record of reacting defensively to criticism. The organisation has been repeatedly accused of failing to confront extremism within its ranks.
Pickles’ letter, while deemed patronising by some, was an attempt to engage Muslim leaders in a dialogue about extremism. The MCB’s response, on the other hand, was perceived as dismissive, reflecting its history of failing to engage constructively with such issues. The MCB’s refusal to participate in the government’s Prevent strategy, which aims to counter radicalisation, is another example of this attitude.
The MCB’s stance is problematic as it represents a significant proportion of British Muslims. Its refusal to engage with the government and its defensive responses to criticism can be seen as a barrier to tackling extremism within the Muslim community. This situation highlights the need for more representative organisations that can engage in constructive dialogue on these issues.
In short, the MCB’s response to Pickles’ letter underscores the difficulties in engaging Muslim organisations in the fight against extremism. It also underscores the need for new representative bodies willing to address these issues head-on.
Go to source article: http://hurryupharry.org/2015/01/20/ansaring-to-pickles-why-the-mcbs-response-isnt-a-surprise/