In her speech on preventing violent extremism delivered before the Policy Exchange Institute on Thursday 17th, Hazel Blears MP reinforced the common belief that not only is the government in disarray over an issue of pivotal importance, but that her department specifically, Communities and Local Government leads the way in drawing up one failed strategy after another. When it comes to the ability to properly identify a problem and its root causes, and distinguish between the elements which are capable of solving a problem and those which merely exacerbate it, DCLG certainly fails to impress.
In light of this speech, as well as the frenzied assault from a number of corners on the outstandingly successful IslamExpo which took place over the weekend, it has become imperative that IslamExpo responds.
1) What Hazel Blears seems to have ignored, was that whilst she devoted part of her speech to attack an organisation and event that brought countless benefits to London, including many millions of pounds worth of investment, she was doing so from a platform that has been discredited by BBC’s Newsnight for publishing a forged and fabricated report that aimed to defame mosques and Islamic centres across London and the UK as distribution and selling points for extremist material. The irony is stark.
2) When Ms. Blears and her associates continuously hark about engagement and connecting with young Muslims, IslamExpo set up a platform to which they invited representatives of all sides of the spectrum, including her own government. Those who accepted will testify that they were at no stage censored, barred or prevented from speaking their minds, even criticising the very organisers who invited them to the event. Wouldn’t it have been better for Ms. Blears and her government to have done the same and in the process, shown true commitment to the words they speak and get paid handsomely by tax-payers for? IslamExpo would have happily had any of the invited individuals take to their respective stages and speak their minds freely regardless of how much it may differ or disagree therewith.
3) A few days ago, the Foreign Office sponsored a trip by a handful of individuals, friends of Hazel Blears, to Egypt in what was a delegation that claimed to represent ‘British Islam’. Anyone who knows anything about the British Muslims would testify that the individuals involved have no reach within the community, and the FCO would’ve been far better served and its funds better utilised had it taken to Egypt images from IslamExpo that showed 50,000 people of all backgrounds visit, participate, discuss, debate and engage freely and openly in the heart of London. Ms. Blears ought to know that ‘legitimacy’ must be proven on the ground and in real terms, and is neither proven nor undermined by her government’s attendance of or withdrawal from mainstream events.
4) Hazel Blears' McCarthyite attempt to single out individuals involved in IslamExpo for real or imagined positions which they assume is extremely inappropriate considering she represents the government which launched an illegal and tragically failed act of aggression in the heart of the Muslim world, and seems to simply refuse to do anything to initiate a serious dialogue with the mainstream Muslim opinion in Britain. Blears also needs to be reminded that she was happy in the past, to meet and engage in discussion with one of the IslamExpo Directors who is now under attack by certain quarters of the Media.
5) Blears’ citation of the presence of the Iranian Embassy at Islam Expo to breath life into her poor attempts to discredit the event and its organisers, is bizarre. As far as Islam Expo can tell, Iran is still a country with which the UK has diplomatic and even trade ties, and who has an embassy and a full diplomatic representation here in London. It is therefore incomprehensible why Ms. Blears should see the presence of an Iranian stall, fully paid for in accordance with Islam Expo exhibition fees, as abnormal, particularly that other countries from around the Muslim and non-Muslim world also formed part of the 4-day exhibition. Further, her party allowed Muslim Friends of Labour to have a stall in IslamExpo, promoting the Labour party amongst those who visited IslamExpo, yet she considered the participation of Muslim MPs in the event inappropriate.
6) The Government's desire for regime change seems to have extended to IslamExpo! Ms. Blears’ suggestion that she or her government will attempt to influence IslamExpo and who stands behind it, is laughable to say the least. From one perspective, we welcome Ms. Blears’ admission that Islam Expo has proven in only its second outing, that it is one of the mainstream events that form a fixture in London’s calendar; a ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ kind of approach. However, we wish to assure Ms. Blears that IslamExpo will continue to progress according to the same format, structure and form that has made it the resounding success that it is, and which led to tens of thousands to flock to its doors last weekend, and millions to follow its proceedings around the world. IslamExpo is proud of its bursting and still expanding mail-bag which is full of complimentary messages from Muslims and non-Muslims, British and otherwise that have arrived over the past few days; a true testimony to the stature of the event and those who stood behind its fulfilment.
7) Islam Expo wishes to express its determination to pursue its policy of ‘free-speech in action’ and ‘open doors to all’, which have contributed to its amazing success. In that spirit, we wish to extend our hand of co-operation to Hazel Blears and anyone who is serious about tackling extremism, ending violence and the mentality of eradicating the ‘other’, and engaging with the young and the frustrated to salvage them from the grips of the preachers of hate. IslamExpo has proven its worth and the success of its approach and we wish to see that success built upon and utilised by those who are true and sincere. Indeed, if the attacks and criticisms it has attracted from the usual isolationist circles are anything to go by, then its success is far greater than its organisers initially thought.
It brings no one any joy that the government and the various departments, committees, commissions, task-forces, legislations, Muslim organisations, initiatives, bright ideas and other gimmicks set up in recent years claiming to tackle the rising trend of extremism, have all failed miserably. We all stand to lose should those who preach 'no hope' and construct barriers between our communities prevail. It is time the government recognised that its approach and methodology in countering this challenge constitute part of the problem, and they both need to be seriously re-addressed.
Pride and the fear of admitting mistakes will only intensify the problem and make a resolution far more difficult to attain. As we found out at IslamExpo 2008, it may be difficult to welcome, shake hands with, smile to and courteously introduce to the stage someone who has often written an offensive article, made a poisonous statement or declared an opposite stand. However, IslamExpo organisers had sufficient self-confidence and belief, as well as sufficient commitment to the principle of open engagement to overcome any personal issues.
Our challenge to Hazel Blears and those alongside her is to show similar spirit and a make a quantum leap towards reconciliation and a joint fight against extremism in all its shapes, forms and manifestations |