If we replace Britain, in this news story, with Canada, we will still get the same story that government is trying to pander for votes by criminalizing Islam. Since, Canadian government also has nothing to show on improving economy & jobs, passing security bills like Bill C-51 & Muslim women's veils have been made the focal point of this year's election.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More than 60 imams & leaders of Muslim organisations have signed an open letter to the government accusing it of criminalising Islam.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More than 60 imams & leaders of Muslim organisations have signed an open letter to the government accusing it of criminalising Islam.
They said that the "terror threat" was being exploited for political capital ahead of the general election.
Signatories include journalist Yvonne Ridley, former Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg & members of the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.
The 61 signatories criticised the "demonisation of Muslims in Britain.... despite their disavowal of violence & never having supported terrorist acts".
The letter accused the government of trying to deflect attention from crises in the economy & health service, while trying to silence criticism of foreign policy.
It condemned the exploitation of the "terror threat" for political capital as "the big parties inevitably try to outdo each other in their nastiness", in the run up to May's election by playing on public fears about security & immigration.
The letter cited the targeting of Muslims through anti-terror legislation: "The latest Act of Parliament, the Counter-Terrorism & Security Act, threatens to create a 'McCarthyite' witch-hunt against Muslims, with nursery workers, schoolteachers & Universities expected to look out for signs of increased Islamic practice as signs of 'radicalisation'".
"Such a narrative will only further damage social cohesion as it incites suspicion & ill feeling in the broader community.
"The use of undefined & politically charged words like 'radicalisation' & 'extremism' is unacceptable as it criminalises legitimate political discourse & criticism of successive governments," the letter said.
No comments:
Post a Comment