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'One in 10 Muslims are in 7/7 denial'
Last updated at 11:29am on 11.05.07At least one in 10 British Muslims is in denial about the 7 July bombings in London, David Cameron is warning.
The Tory leader raised his concerns after staying with an Islamic family in Birmingham. Arguing that parts of the Muslim community are in denial about terrorism, he writes on his website: "In the mosque and elsewhere I got the familiar depressing questions about who was really responsible for 9/11 and even 7/7.
"Dig a bit deeper and it all comes out, 'CIA plot ... Jews told to leave the twin towers'. Even when it comes to 7/7, 'how do we know the suicide bomber videos are real and not fakes?' "Even if this is a view held by five or 10 per cent of British Muslims - and I suspect it is at least that - this is a real problem which we have all got to get to grips with."
However, after staying with a Muslim couple and their three children in the Balsall Heath area of Birmingham, he also accused the media and MPs of causing anger among some Muslims with inappropriate language.
Calling for people to stop using the words "Islamist terrorists" he adds: "It's hard to over-emphasise the importance of language. "Every time the BBC or a politician talks about Islamist terrorists they are doing immense harm."
He also voiced concerns among some Muslims that not enough is being done to stop extremist preachers coming to Britain and radicalising young people.
Reader views (9)
It's well past the time when the so called "moderate" Islamists should have rooted the terrorists out of their midst. As long as they allow the terrorists to exist within their society then they are very definately Islamist terrorists.
- Frank, Wolverhampton, England
He's right, terrorists who believe in an utterly perverted form of Islam should not be called "Islamic Terrorists". Al-Quaeda terrorists would be better, even when not strictly accurate.
And on the other hand, we should be much harder with these perverted extremists and those who offer them even tacit support. Everything they say should be recorded, and the laws on incitement to commit murder or other crimes should be much more strictly enforced than they presently are.
- Nigel, London
I think David Cameron is absolutely right to emphasise the importance of the terms used by the media.
The terrorists are interested in driving a wedge between ordinary Muslims and the rest of the Bristish people, and by constantly linking their religion to terrorism the media are doing their work for them. We must not let the terrorists win, and the media must be careful to avoid helping them for the sake of sensationalism.
- Martin, Kennington
When Islamic terrorists stop focusing terror plans in the UK and other western nations, maybe then the media will stop referring to them in that way. Muslims could also be doing more to rid their communities of radicals, as instead of condeming and isolating these people, some support them and others deny any involvment by muslims and replace them with hilarious conspiracy theories.
- Brandon Thomas, London
Perhaps we should call them Martyrs? Anyone who thinks it's right to kill innocent people for ANY reason has, in my books, forefitted their right to complain about what names they get called!
- Jenny, Heathrow
As for not using the expression "Islamist terrorist" - that's just mad. They are using terror to further their Islamist agenda.
Perhaps if the media, the Govt. and "call-me-dave" stopped pussyfooting around the issue then the Islamists would get the message.
- John, Harrow, UK
It is rather offensive to label people with such harsh language - especially as now the term 'terrorist' just conjures up seriously skewed images in most people's minds. It's also rather narrow-minded.
- Hybrid Chick, Wimbledon
Oh Cameron you big pc fairy, what's wrong with calling a spade a spade?
- Andy, london
Call-Me-Dave has a point. What about all the terrorists that aren't of the Islamic faith? I'm sure they're all deeply offended every time those words are uttered.
- Mac , London
