Extremism is 'biggest security issue'

Ruth Kelly has launched a new effort to tackle Islamic extremism.

As the debate over multiculturalism and integration intensifies, the communities secretary called on Muslims to find a "new level" in efforts to root out extremists.

Kelly told a meeting of representatives from 20 local councils that extremism is the "biggest security issue" facing the country and that responsibility for ensuring community cohesion must be "shared".

Kelly spent around an hour with the council and police representatives.

She told reporters that she had been discussing the "shared challenges'' that everybody faced, especially in relation to Islamic extremism.

"I've just had a really constructive meeting and there was an excellent attendance from the local authorities.

"I detected a real sense of enthusiasm and ambition for us to work together on this shared agenda."

Meanwhile the Guardian reports that the Department for Education and Skills is to ask lecturers and university staff across Britain to "spy on 'Asian-looking' and Muslim students they suspect of involvement in Islamic extremism and supporting terrorist violence".

The proposals, which are to be sent to universities and colleges before the end of the year, acknowledge that education establishments will be anxious about passing information to Special Branch as it may look like they are "collaborating with the 'secret police'".

At Monday's meeting, Kelly urged local leaders to consider whether they are doing enough to tackle extremism in schools, colleges and universities, and whether they have identified "hot spot" neighbourhoods and sections of the community which could cause problems.

"In major parts of Britain the new extremism we're facing is the single biggest security issue for local communities," Kelly said.

"This is not just a problem for Muslim communities. The far right is still with us, still poisonous, still trying to create and exploit divisions.

"Extremism is an issue for all of us. We all must play our part in responding to it."

Kelly told the behind-closed-doors event in London that the "world has changed" since September 11 and July 7.

"The government has had to change and respond to that, and we appeal to local authorities to do the same," she was set to add.

The minister's comments come after nearly two weeks in which the row over religious tolerance has continued to grow.

The secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, Dr Mohammad Abdul Bari, warned against the way in which the debate over extremism is being conducted.

"What is happening, especially in the last few months, has been a barrage of demonisation of the Muslim community to such an extent that the community is now scared and the whole community feels vulnerable," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

"Ministers are not helping in this discourse within the Muslim community.

"What, simply, they are doing is trying to undermine and marginalise further Muslim community, especially those organisations which have been working so hard for community cohesion."

Number 10 refused to be drawn on the continuing row over the wearing of veils and the responsibilities of the Muslim community to ensure closer integration.

"What the prime minister believes is that there is a debate going on and these are matters which should be resolved locally and that is all we are going to say about it," said the prime minister's official spokesman.

"There is a debate going on and people are perfectly entitled to contribute to that debate from all points of view."

Asked about the weekend's comments by a series of ministers, he also said that "these are matters of personal view, not government policy".