Over 400 UK Imams, scholars reject PM Rishi Sunak's new extremism definition

UK Imams and scholars urge Muslims to support MEND, CAGE and The Muslim Association of Britain; say Michael Gove has a history of targeting Muslims

Murtaza Ali Shah

March 22, 2024

Britains Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stands outside Number 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, October 25, 2022. — Reuters — Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stands outside Number 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, October 25, 2022. — Reuters

LONDON: More than 400 UK Imams and scholars have joined to reject the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak government’s new “extremism” definition which solely targets more than 3.5 million British Muslims and the Islamic faith on the advice of Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The UK Imams and scholars said in a joint statement that the right-wing minister Michael Gove has a history of targeting Islam and Muslims under the label of “Islamism” and he is known for campaigning against Muslims in association with anti-Islam racists and Islamophobes.

They said they were issuing the joint statement in response to the recent announcement by Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, regarding an expanded definition of extremism targeting Muslim groups such as MEND, CAGE, and The Muslim Association of Britain.

The statement said: “We note that the discourse of ‘extremism’ relies on the faulty and academically baseless neoconservative notion that ideology is a cause of political violence. We observe that Mr Gove has a history of targeting Islam and Muslims under the label of 'Islamism'.

“We further observe that Mr Gove has deep connections with pro-Israel lobbies that propagate Islamophobia and anti-Muslim conspiracy theories. It appears the underlying motivation behind this announcement is the dissatisfaction among neoconservative, pro-Israeli figures within the Government towards legitimate activism opposing Israeli and Zionist aggression against Palestine, notably, Gaza.

“It is evident to us that individuals who prioritise the Israeli-Zionist agenda above Britain’s interests aim to stifle the political engagement of Muslims. The hypocrisy of Mr Gove et al, who coercively apply ‘British values,’ which includes democracy, whilst simultaneously suppressing democratic participation that opposes their agenda, is glaringly obvious.”

The UK Imams and scholars said that despite the prime minister's purported commitment to bridging gaps with the Muslim community, his government’s actions suggest a preference for divisive tactics over genuine dialogue and engagement.

They said: “The ability of a select few to influence government decisions, including the alteration of laws and definitions to suit their agenda, raises serious concerns about the integrity and independence of our political system. The targeting of Muslim organisations also demonstrates how the politicised discourse of ‘extremism’ undermines the rule of law, often at the expense of minorities. It is imperative that we, as Muslims, unite against such abuses of power and reject this new definition of extremism and its ideological assumptions.

“The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'No (Muslim) man will desert a man who is a Muslim in a place where his respect may be violated and his honour aspersed without Allah deserting him in a place where he wishes his help; and no (Muslim) man who will help a Muslim in a place where his honour may be aspersed and his respect violated without Allah helping him in a place where he wishes his help.'”

The Imams and scholars said: “We call upon the Muslim community and supporters of political integrity and accountability to support organisations like MEND, CAGE and The Muslim Association of Britain for a fairer society. We also stand in solidarity with Imam Shakeel Begg, recognising his selfless service to his community, while firmly rejecting the ideological, legally flawed, and unscholarly characterisation of him as an ‘extremist’.

“As Imams and scholars, we reaffirm our dedication to working towards a better, more just United Kingdom, free from corruption and injustice. The government's focus on extremism is a distraction for their failure to address pressing social issues, such as the living expenses crisis, housing crisis, and escalating incidents of violence and anti-Muslim hatred. We urge the public to remain vigilant in safeguarding against this Orwellian drift and holding our elected officials accountable.”

Those who have signed the joint statement include: