John
02-05-2011, 05:28 PM
David Cameron has signalled a tougher government stance on groups which promote Islamist extremism, saying it is time to end the "passive tolerance" of recent years.
The Prime Minister said the doctrine of multi-culturalism has failed during a speech in which he called for "muscular liberalism" in defence of Western values.
He blamed the radicalisation of Muslim youths and the phenomenon of home-grown terrorism on a "hands-off tolerance" from the authorities.
He said the threat of terrorism must be confronted not only though intelligence and surveillance, but by taking on the ideology of Islamist extremism at home.
Ministers should refuse to share platforms or engage with groups that peddle separatist ideology.
Such groups should also be denied access to public money and barred from spreading their message in universities and prisons, he argued.
Mr Cameron made his comments in a speech to an international security conference in the German city of Munich.
"Frankly, we need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and much more active, muscular liberalism," the Prime Minister said.
While a "passively tolerant" society allows its citizens to do what they like... a genuinely liberal country "believes in certain values and actively promotes them.
"Freedom of speech. Freedom of worship. Democracy. The rule of law. Equal rights, regardless of race, sex or sexuality.
"It says to its citizens: This is what defines us as a society. To belong here is to believe these things.
"Each of us in our own countries must be unambiguous and hard-nosed about this defence of our liberty."
The timing of Mr Cameron's speech has been criticised as it came on the day of a march in Luton by the far-right English Defence League.
The Prime Minister stressed right-wing extremists and Christian fundamentalist preachers of hate must also be condemned.
He also insisted a clear distinction must be made between the religion of Islam and the political ideology of Islamist extremism.
It is wrong to link strong religious faith with radicalism "as if all devout Muslims must be extremist", Mr Cameron said.
"This is wrong. Someone can be a devout Muslim and not be an extremist. We
need to be clear: Islamist extremism and Islam are not the same thing."
The Prime Minister's comments have been criticised by some Muslim groups, including the Muslim Council of Britain which described them as "disappointing".
Dr Faisal Hanjra, assistant secretary general, said: "Again it seems the Muslim community is being treated as part of the problem rather than part of the solution."
Source - Yahoo.
The Prime Minister said the doctrine of multi-culturalism has failed during a speech in which he called for "muscular liberalism" in defence of Western values.
He blamed the radicalisation of Muslim youths and the phenomenon of home-grown terrorism on a "hands-off tolerance" from the authorities.
He said the threat of terrorism must be confronted not only though intelligence and surveillance, but by taking on the ideology of Islamist extremism at home.
Ministers should refuse to share platforms or engage with groups that peddle separatist ideology.
Such groups should also be denied access to public money and barred from spreading their message in universities and prisons, he argued.
Mr Cameron made his comments in a speech to an international security conference in the German city of Munich.
"Frankly, we need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and much more active, muscular liberalism," the Prime Minister said.
While a "passively tolerant" society allows its citizens to do what they like... a genuinely liberal country "believes in certain values and actively promotes them.
"Freedom of speech. Freedom of worship. Democracy. The rule of law. Equal rights, regardless of race, sex or sexuality.
"It says to its citizens: This is what defines us as a society. To belong here is to believe these things.
"Each of us in our own countries must be unambiguous and hard-nosed about this defence of our liberty."
The timing of Mr Cameron's speech has been criticised as it came on the day of a march in Luton by the far-right English Defence League.
The Prime Minister stressed right-wing extremists and Christian fundamentalist preachers of hate must also be condemned.
He also insisted a clear distinction must be made between the religion of Islam and the political ideology of Islamist extremism.
It is wrong to link strong religious faith with radicalism "as if all devout Muslims must be extremist", Mr Cameron said.
"This is wrong. Someone can be a devout Muslim and not be an extremist. We
need to be clear: Islamist extremism and Islam are not the same thing."
The Prime Minister's comments have been criticised by some Muslim groups, including the Muslim Council of Britain which described them as "disappointing".
Dr Faisal Hanjra, assistant secretary general, said: "Again it seems the Muslim community is being treated as part of the problem rather than part of the solution."
Source - Yahoo.