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Ministers recruit young Muslims as advisers in latest bid to combat Islamic extremism
Last updated at 01:02am on 29.08.08
Panel: Young Muslims will act as advisers to Communities Secretary Hazel Blears
Twenty young Muslims are to become personal advisers to three Cabinet ministers in an attempt by the Government to tackle Islamic extremism.
Labour says the group, aged 16 to 25, will keep Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and Schools Secretary Ed Balls in touch with the mood of Muslim youths.
Ministers hope that listening to and addressing concerns that affect Muslims could ease tensions in multi-cultural communities and cut the risk of them becoming radicalised by extremists.
The Young Muslim Advisory Group, to be launched in October, will also work with Arts Council England and Sport England.
The aim is see how cultural and sporting opportunities, such as the use of football tournaments or music gigs, can reduce tensions within different communities.
Miss Blears said: 'Ensuring young Muslims have access to constructive, democratic channels for dealing with concerns is crucial to our efforts to build communities that are resilient to extremist messages.
'We need to equip young Muslims to take the lead in challenging prejudice and preconceptions both within their own communities and in wider society.
'The Young Muslim Advisory group is about identifying the next generation of Muslim community leaders and providing a platform to speak out on issues that are important to them.'
Since June, more than 150 applications have been received and over the next few days the prospective advisers, who are all aged between 16 and 25, will take part in discussions and workshops to test their suitability.
The Young Muslim Advisory Group aims to give Cabinet ministers a first-hand understanding of the issues that affect young Muslims, including the risk of extremism, employment opportunities and education.
It will also try to get young Muslims' messages across in the media, promote role models and mentoring and 'build the capacity of young people, in terms of skills, knowledge and confidence, to counter the extremist ideology'.
One of the first tasks of the group will be to organise a national youth conference to discuss the challenges facing young British Muslims over the next few years.
The Government has been attempting to engage Britain's Muslim communities, especially in the wake of the July 7 terror bombings in London which murdered 52 innocent people.
Ministers recently announced £12.5million for Muslim communities to fund projects which aim to 'undermine extremist ideology'.
And last month the Government announced plans for state school pupils to be taught Islamic traditions and values in compulsory citizenship lessons.
Another measure will see Muslim children being taught citizenship lessons by imams in mosque schools in the hope they will be better equipped to resist violent extremist messages.
The Department for Communities and Local Government said the personal advisers would not be paid but would be allowed to claim expenses for any costs they might incur, such as travel or overnight accommodation.
Reader views (13)
Freedom of speech is two fold. If I exercise the freedom of speech to convey, NOT IMPOSE, my view, then you also have your free will to exercise yours, just like you have done here. Thats the beauty of this country. I am a Young, British Pakistani Muslim who is fully integrated in British society but one who has not lost contact with his faith. And I shouldn't have to! And what is britishness anyway and how do you measure it? The reason why things never change is because of comments like these. They only distance the young muslims. Who in the world wouldn't what extremism wiped out of this country and the real Islamic views being conveyed. It is no doubt that there are two camps of muslims in this country. One who exercise extreme sharia law and others that are moderate. And there are others that are neither. My only point is that by disallowing speech, such as your assertions against the formation of this group, you allow the real issues to be masked and hence nothing changes. I can say with confidence that the people who eventually become part of this group will be a driving force for change and will initiate an inter faith, cultural and generational dialogue for the betterment of our society. I can think for myself and no, if you read the article properly, we are not going to be paid and we are not going to get a free pass for the Hilton!!! Let us meet the govt halfway and lets not burn the bridges. thx 
- Anonymous, London, 14/09/2008 11:42
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Here's an idea, why don't the "Britain's Muslim communities" engage with our society instead?
Minority centric, politically correct hogwash and yet more of Labour social engineering.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 14/09/2008 10:42
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I'd like to volunteer to be a member of the Middle-aged Atheists Advisory Group when it is formed, as I'm certain it will be, in the name of inclusiveness.
Not only will e be able to advise the government on vital issues of today, but it will be nice to get our hands on a wad of tax-payers contributions, too.
- John Flemming, Scunthorope, UK, 14/09/2008 10:42
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I'm really pleased that the next generation is being consulted in this way, from what I know many young Muslims have a lot to contribute to society, they need role models that are not terrorists, and neighbours that are not racist's, its not about fitting in, its about being inspired by others, to become valued citizens that can make a considerable contribution to this country now and in the future.
- Hana Tanaka, London, 14/09/2008 10:42
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More pie in the sky liberal nonsense.
The next election can not come quick enough. A chance to destroy the traitors in power for a at least a generation
- Lb, London, 14/09/2008 10:42
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Why should muslims get so much attention? It is they that dont want to integrate, it is they that segregate themselves. Im sick and tired of having their twisted religion imposed on me. This is not an Islamic state, we don't want it to be and i don't feel comfortable with a growing number of the population seeing me as a white, non Muslim woman as a second class citizen. Muslims demands are making me despise their religion and controlling ways. Europe needs to wake up and the people need to stand up and be counted. If they hate us all so much and feel so hard done by why don't they go life in Pakistan? Muslims want to spread Islam, often by force, its what they are about but with every headline like this, more and more people are getting sick of listening to them.
- Taylor, East Anglia, 14/09/2008 10:42
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What rubbish. 'Young Muslims' have been conditioned from birth. What they think and what they want has been decided by Imams and the other humans who wrote the holy text.
Labour should concentrate on integrating young Britons. The Olympics have proved that people of different races can work together for the good of our country.
Choosing Muslim 'advisors' further separates Islam from the mainstream, something far-right expansionist Islamic groups want, their goal is to create a 'State within a state'. Well done Labour, political correctness supporting Jihad again!
This terrible idea only further alienates or young British citizens of Anglo-saxon, Black, Chinese, Indian, European origin. When will Labour learn to stop shooting itself in the foot. People are already sick to death of this multi-cultural experiment, if people aren't represented by the government fringe parties will win power.
- John, Chester, England, 14/09/2008 10:42
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How long did it take the so called brains of this country to work that one out!
- Stuart, UK Luton, 14/09/2008 10:42
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What a waste of money. When our own people are in need of help, you would think £12mil could be used for better reasons than this. These people will never fit in no matter what you do. We are reaping what the two parties have sown over the years, and it's our fault for voting for them. This is now coming to a head. Slam the doors shut - NOW!
- Sylvia, Essex, 14/09/2008 10:42
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It's high time we stopped immigration from countries with cultures and religions that are not compatible with ours. This is not racist, this is common sense!
- Brandon Thomas, London SW7, 14/09/2008 10:42
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Well past high time for the government to call a halt to immigration into the UK by people who are not prepared to fit into our society but who continually cause trouble as they try to impose their religious and cultural rules on us and even to affect our legal procedures. There is a very real threat.
- Michael Smith, United Kingdom, 14/09/2008 10:42
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Lets just hope that this racist scumbag picks the 'wrong' kind of Muslims. You know, the type that want her and all the rest of us dead.
Nothing could possibly please me more than seeing her and her bunch of fawning sycophants blown to bits in the name of multiculturalism.
I also note that only 150 people out of a possible 1 million applied. Says a lot for what the Muslim community think of the idea.
- Jimbob, Kensington, 14/09/2008 10:42
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Miss Blears said: 'Ensuring young Muslims have access to constructive, democratic channels for dealing with concerns is crucial to our efforts to build communities that are resilient to extremist messages.
Er, don't they already have that access the same as the rest of us? How about making the effort to integrate and use the same facilities and opportunities for addressing grievances and tackling extremism (which isn't limited to Islam!) as the rest of society in Britain does. This is special treatment for a minority who play the islamophobia or race card to portray themselves as 'victims'. This will result in a minority getting special treatment or appeasement to their demands. Authorities will be too scared to debate or object to anything which comes from them through fear of being accused of being islamophobic or racist.
- Richard, London, 14/09/2008 10:42
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