Mosques 'failing to protect young from extremism'

This is definitely in the "you couldn't make this up" league.

Mosques 'failing to protect young from extremism'
Telegraph
08/08/2005

Mosques across the country are failing to confront the threat of extremism in young people and many do not believe it is their responsibility to do so, according to a poll. A survey of 100 mosques by a Muslim lobby group showed that no steps had been taken to challenge radical preaching to youths, and that none were planned.

[O]f the 100 mosques contacted by Mpac [Muslim Public Affairs Committee], none had changed their teaching syllabus or set up programmes to challenge extremism, the group said. Asked what they had done to help channel Muslim anger about British foreign policy away from extremism, a fifth said the Friday sermon was being used to condemn radical preaching and terrorist action. But Asghar Bukhari, 35, the head of Mpac, said: "[A speech] is the most incompetent way that a mosque could challenge extremism. It is like a doctor telling a patient not to smoke - it won't cure the illness. The very institutions that could make the most difference are refusing to help. That is a disgrace."

...

Dr Musharraf Hussain, 47, who represents two mosques in Nottingham, said he did not intend to confront any evil ideology "head-on", as the Prime Minister suggested. "I have absolutely no plans whatsoever. If the Government wants us to become a secret service, or their stooges, they will have to pay us for it. The reason the youngsters are angry is because of Tony Blair's foreign policy, so I think it is very unfair to suggest that we should bear the whole responsibility for that."

Aurangzaib Khan, who works for the Pakistan Centre in Nottingham, which is also used for prayers, said: "The problem is being caused by the Government, so they should solve it rather than throwing it on to the community. They look for so-called leaders, but if anything happens in the white community they don't look for leaders. Are they going to pay people to be outreach workers?".

Dilwar Khan, director of the East London mosque, said: "It is not our responsibility to go and search these people out [extremists or their targets]." He said the mosque had preached against radicals for a long time. "As far as we are concerned we don't have to do anything more."

Mr Atta Choudhri, the chairman of Manchester Central Mosque, said: "How can we take responsibility for all the youngsters? We will try our best, but youngsters don't listen to anybody."