In response to the speech earlier today from the Home Secretary, John Reid, the Muslim Council of Britain firmly believes that all parents, both Muslims and non-Muslims, have an important responsibility in being vigilant and ensuring that their children are not misled by criminal and extremist elements in society. However, the MCB notes that the government needs to also recognise the impact of some of its own policies, domestic and foreign, in contributing to the spread of extremist ideas.

"It is as though in response to the threat of Global Warming and the threat of rising water levels, the government were to ask all of us merely to place sandbags outside our homes to prevent flooding. Surely, the more sensible way forward would be to tackle the causes of Global Warming. Similarly, in continuing to ignore the damage that some of our foreign policies, particularly in the Middle East, have done to our national security, the government is not facing up to a major contributory factor behind the rise of extremism," said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

John Reid was giving his first speech to the Muslims community in Leyton on 20 September 2006, but his presence incited outbursts from Abu Izzadeen (Omar Brooks) who accused Mr Reid of being "an enemy of Islam and all Muslims". Abu Izzadeen was evicted from the meeting but was promptly replaced by another protester holding placards. The protests have prompted questions about the security of Labour parliamentarians, but Mr Reid continued with the meeting unperturbed and urged Muslim parents to look out for "tell tale" signs of extremism in their children.

HIZB UT TAHRIR BRANDS THE SPEECH AS 'SPIN'

Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain was quick to criticise John Reid's speech as "spin" designed to promote hysteria and fear in the wider society. In the statement, the organisation said:

"Similar to the hysteria generated from cold war propaganda, today's speech of Home Secretary John Reid will do nothing to address what the government calls 'radicalisation within the Muslim community'. Mr Reid bizarrely announced that Muslim parents should be aware of the tell tale signs of 'radicalisation', including 'dropping out of school or college' and adopting 'strange new friends'.

Yet again, the government has built a false premise - misrepresenting the politicisation of the Muslim community as 'radicalisation' of Muslims. Yet again instead of looking at the obvious politics of the Muslim world - oppression, occupation and dictatorship - and its effect in creating anger, the debate seems to revolve around generalised terms such as "extreme ideology", "Islamic fascism" and "perversion of Islam". Any attempt to discuss the role of foreign policy is censored as appeasing or justifying terrorism."

Commenting further on John Reid's speech, Imran Waheed, a media representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said, "Our community has repeatedly stated that Islam does not permit the killing of innocents, both in Muslim and non-Muslim circles and will continue to do so. Despite this the Home Secretary now makes the ridiculous demand that Muslim parents spy on their children. These comments can only be seen as further evidence of the government shifting the blame from itself. No community in history has been expected to bear responsibility for the actions of isolated individuals.''

"It is clear to us that Mr Reid's comments only serve the propaganda campaign waged by the US and UK governments. The Muslim community will reject his 'advice' to spy on each other and his attempt to promote fear and hysteria in the wider society. This kind of government spin highlights the need for Muslims to speak directly to the wider society. "

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