On the whole, I welcome Gordon Browns statement on Terrorism measures last week. Apart from the extension to the 28 day detention period for terror suspects, much of what he announced was a reflection of the times we live in today. Whilst some may argue that the government is further eroding our civil liberties and moving towards the absolute Orwellian state, it has had to balance it against the perceived public perception that we are being over run by a massive terror threat. As much as I am against screening at trains stations and airports, I would rather be late than dead. This government has not needed any excuses to take further control of our lives in just about every area. Its desire to control our lives down to the last detail from Whitehall has seen an intrusion and invasion of our privacy and private lives like no other country. The terrorist threat has allowed it to accelerate that process further and beyond anything we could have imagined.
Whilst few will feel the headline grabbing measures are anything but new or unexpected, the Prime Ministers extraordinary detail about the way the Muslim community will be helped and ‘asked’ to join the fight against extremism was quite breathtaking. Imams speaking English, more resources targeted at Muslim youth and more transparent management of Mosques are ideas that Muslims up and down the country recognise and accept. However, the PM showed his knack for detail by pin pointing just how these measures will be implemented on the ground. His desire to see more women and better access for women in the Mosques was one example where this government will flex its muscle when dishing out the money it promised to Mosques. As part of the plans, Muslim ladies will meet at their local Mosques on Saturday afternoons at 3pm having been security checked to make sure their samosas comply with the latest European regulations for size and content. Upon entry, they will sit in organised circles, needle (not too sharp for Health and Safety reasons), thread and patchwork quilts in hand, speaking only in English whilst being monitored with a heavily armed unit from the Met (for moral support). They will discuss the issues of the day including the latest amendments to the European Constitution (though it will not be called that) and they will agree with them all. The sacrifices we need to make to feel safe!
Whilst few will feel the headline grabbing measures are anything but new or unexpected, the Prime Ministers extraordinary detail about the way the Muslim community will be helped and ‘asked’ to join the fight against extremism was quite breathtaking. Imams speaking English, more resources targeted at Muslim youth and more transparent management of Mosques are ideas that Muslims up and down the country recognise and accept. However, the PM showed his knack for detail by pin pointing just how these measures will be implemented on the ground. His desire to see more women and better access for women in the Mosques was one example where this government will flex its muscle when dishing out the money it promised to Mosques. As part of the plans, Muslim ladies will meet at their local Mosques on Saturday afternoons at 3pm having been security checked to make sure their samosas comply with the latest European regulations for size and content. Upon entry, they will sit in organised circles, needle (not too sharp for Health and Safety reasons), thread and patchwork quilts in hand, speaking only in English whilst being monitored with a heavily armed unit from the Met (for moral support). They will discuss the issues of the day including the latest amendments to the European Constitution (though it will not be called that) and they will agree with them all. The sacrifices we need to make to feel safe!
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