Initiatives are urging people to extremism

Published on 04/12/2006 12:11

GOVERNMENT attempts to engage with the Muslim community have backfired and are driving people to extremism, it was claimed today.

A report by the think tank Demos said initiatives since the July 7 attacks in London had tended to "drive a wedge" between Muslims and the wider community rather than isolate extremists.

The report - which was part funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government - accused ministers of failing to engage with Muslims over "reasonable" grievances, including British foreign policy in Iraq.

Attempts to involve Muslims in policy-making were criticised as "rushed, conducted on the Government's terms, failing to break away from 'the usual suspects' and with little follow through".

It said that the Government's actions were breeding "resentment and alienation" among Muslims, playing into the hands of extremists.