Understanding Religion key...

Soft policing methods are significantly helping authorities to understand the mindset of Britain's disillusioned young Muslims, who often turn to terrorist groups for so called 'religious' enlightenment, research at a leading university has found.

Policing methods such as dialogue, greater support and trust were what researchers from Birmingham University looked at in engaging the so called Muslim 'radicals.'

This type of approach is bearing fruit with understanding extremist mindset the researchers claim.

"This study highlights the importance of creating space for ongoing dialogue, support and partnership between police and communities within a counter-terrorism context for preventing violent extremism," said Dr Basia Spalek, co author of the findings.

The report also found knowledge of religion was also important in understanding and building links to help counter terrorist movements within the Muslim community.

Dr Spalek and his team interviewed both Muslim groups and policing groups when documenting the findings.

He said: “Many counter terrorism strategies around the world today are based, partly or primarily, on understanding of the religious texts from which the violent extremists derive a justification for their acts. Some of these programmes target vulnerable groups to protect them against Al-Qaeda's propaganda which uses religious text and settings excessively to attract impressionable and disillusioned young Muslims."

Last week, Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain gave a speech to the Oxford and Cambridge Union Societies, in which he talked about the importance of an inclusive Britain.

He said: "Working for the common good, is not just for the ‘good of the Muslim community."

Dr Bari talked about the importance of community understanding of the religious text the Qur’an, as well as engaging everyone to help build a better, intergrated Britain.

He used the election of the USA's Barack Obama to highlight that from the doom and gloom of the financial crisis engulfing Britain that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Dr Bari said: "We hope president elect Obama succeeds in translating his vision into reality."

On the current economic turmoil, he added: "What is more intriguing is that nobody has been found guilty for causing this enormous hole in the world’s coffers. The bankers rewarded themselves, while society suffers. Some economists have been calling the current economic system a ‘Casino Economy’. This mirrors what the greatest oriental philosopher poet in modern history, Iqbal, said nearly a hundred years ago ‘What they call commerce is a game of dice."

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | reddit | newsvine | furl | google | yahoo | technorati | icerocket