Michael Gove will unveil plans to allow the Government and public bodies to ban groups from venues or campuses and block funding. Photo: Kay Roxby/Alamy Live News
The Muslim Council of Britain, Palestine Action and Muslim Engagement and Development could be among the groups designated as extremist under government plans to broaden the definition of extremism.
The Telegraph reported on Saturday that ministers must develop a broader definition of extremism to enable universities, councils and other government bodies to tackle a wider range of Islamist and right-wing groups.
Michael Gove will do it. plans will be unveiled as early as next week to allow the government and public bodies to ban groups from events or university campuses and block funding if they are found to be promoting extremist ideology that “undermines” or “subverts” British values.
The Communities Minister is concerned that the current definition of extremism is too narrow and allows Islamist and right-wing groups to get away with behavior that incites racial and religious hatred, threatens communities and divides society.
It is understood that officials have drawn up a list of organizations that are likely to fall under the new designation, including the Muslim Council of Britain, Palestine Action and Muslim Engagement and Development.
The final names on the list are under consideration
It is said that Mr Gove is keen to publish the list, although the final names are pending due to legal issues. One insider was skeptical that the Muslim Council of Britain would be included in the final version.
The government has a policy of not engaging with the organization because of its alleged links to extremism, but Whitehall departments are still operating. at the same time, funds were provided.
The Ministry of Defense used the council to appoint imams in the army. Police worked with leading figures in the organization such as Mohammed Kozbar, chairman of the Finsbury Park mosque, who called Hamas «martyrs of the resistance.»
Last year, more than three-quarters of the funding for the Muslim Council of Britain Charitable Trust (a total of £326,000) came through Kickstart, a government scheme designed to get young people into work by part-funding wage costs.
Palestine Action seeks to shut down Elbit Systems, Israel's largest weapons manufacturer, while the NGO Muslim Engagement and Development campaigns against Islamophobia and promotes engagement with Muslim communities.
The move comes after Rishi Sunak said on Friday that extremists were trying to undermine British democracy and called on the country to unite and «beat this poison.»
This The move comes after Rishi Sunak said on Friday that extremists were trying to undermine British democracy and called on the country to unite and «beat this poison».The Prime Minister said there had been a «shocking rise» in extremist activity in Britain since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7.
Mr Gove has long campaigned for tougher measures against extremism and has tasked Sarah Khan, the former leader Independent Commission on Countering Extremism, to prepare a report on threats to community cohesion, which is expected to be published within a few weeks.
It is understood that he initially wanted the new definition to be legislative, but he was warned that giving it legal force could hijack political organizations such as the Scottish National Party. Instead, it is expected to take the form of guidance that is less prescriptive.
Speech 'vilified protesters'
A spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain said: «Mr Sunak's speech was not only an attempt to vilify hundreds of thousands of protesters calling for peace in the Gaza Strip, and were also peppered with vague warnings about extremism from “Islamists” and the far right.
“We are waiting to see how the government expands its definition of extremism and whether it will also include the majority of the Conservative Party leadership who direct divisive and hateful rhetoric against Muslims, as well as the majority of party members with conspiratorial views against Muslims. «
The council said it fully supports Mr Sunak on the importance of the safety of MPs, the integrity of the democratic process and the need to ensure Britain does not «slide into polarized camps».
The council said it fully supports Mr Sunak on the importance of the safety of MPs, the integrity of the democratic process and the need to ensure the UK does not “slide into polarized camps”.
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Palestine Action spokesperson » stated: «This government, along with Israel, has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians in genocide. The main target of our campaign is Elbit Systems, the largest weapons manufacturer in Israel, which markets its weapons as “battle tested.” No determination will stop our campaign to close Elbit.
“The majority of the population of this country shares our point of view and rejects complicity in genocide. According to the Arms Trade Treaty, which Britain ratified, it must not arm Israel. Is the Arms Trade Treaty and international law extreme?
We have also contacted Muslim Engagement and Development for comment.
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