Marc Champion: British imams offended by call for help against extremism

The debate in the UK prompted by a letter to UK Imams from Communities Minister Eric Pickles:

Ultimately, though, I think this is all weirdly theoretical. It is surely accurate that parents, faith and political leaders are better placed to influence young Muslim men than is the state. Read without hostility, that’s what the letter from Eric Pickles, the wonderfully named British minister for local government and communities, said.

Who else can convince young men who are infuriated by Israel’s policies in Gaza that this has nothing to do with individual Jews? Who else can convince them that the best way they can protest against British foreign policy in Iraq, or the use of U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan, is at the ballot box or using other lawful tools of protest available to them as U.K. citizens?

Most British Muslims already know this — as do French Muslims — and it’s why they find it offensive when the government demands they prove themselves. Yet a few don’t, with horrific consequences. Like it or not, this creates a special burden. It helps nothing to take instant offense, or to resurface long-aired complaints over foreign policy. Better to tell the government: Of course, we’re already on board, because we’re more worried about our sons and daughters than anyone else can be.

Marc Champion: British imams offended by call for help against extremism