'Expert panel' to report on Islamic beliefs in British life » Communities » 24dash.com

The wearing of the Islamic veil will be one of the issues examined by a new panel of Muslim experts being set up by the Government, it was announced today.

Cambridge University has been commissioned to create an independent board of academic and theological experts.

It will include 20 leading Muslims and is expected to compile a report on Islamic beliefs in relation to life in modern Britain over the coming academic year.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears announced the move as part of a new package to crack down on extremism and radicalisation.

She said: "It is not for Government to dictate on matters of faith or religious teaching.

"But Muslim communities themselves have told us that stronger leadership is needed on what are often controversial issues."

A Communities department spokeswoman said: "Muslims have consistently expressed concerns about Islamic beliefs being misused by those seeking to promote extremism or reinforce certain cultural practices.

"They are equally clear that violence has no place in Islam and that Islamic theology can play a vital part in countering such teachings.

"The Government has responded by working with Muslim communities to facilitate the establishment of an independent theological board who will be able to advise on these issues and share their findings with the wider Muslim community."

The board's membership will reflect the diversity of Muslim communities in the UK, she added.

"It will look at things like the veil, about being both Muslim and British and whether Muslims can feel confident in voting and engaging with society like that," said the spokeswoman.

A series of incidents have led to concerns that the wearing of the Islamic veil is one of the major barriers in community relations between Muslim and non-Muslim Britons.

Ms Blears also announced that young Muslims will be taught citizenship in mosque schools as part of a bid to prevent them being turned into extremists.

Trials of the new lessons will begin in several cities at the start of the new term in September.

The initiative is designed to show youngsters there is no conflict between their religion and being British.

"We have made significant progress working with communities to build an alliance against violent extremists," Ms Blears said.

"We have a responsibility to ensure that our young people are equipped with the skills they need to stand up to violent extremists and this project will help them understand how their faith is compatible with wider shared values and that being a good Muslim is also compatible with being a good citizen in the UK.

"We need to encourage and create safe places for sensible debate around issues that extremists can seek to exploit and make sure that young British Muslims recognise that their faith teaches shared citizenship vales."

Officials said mosque teachers in London, Leicester, Birmingham, Oldham, Rochdale, and Bradford would be trained in using the new materials over the summer.

They will be used alongside traditional lessons about the Koran.

Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, an imam with the Muslim Council of Britain, said the creation of the group had been driven by Muslims rather than the Government.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We felt we needed something of this nature to help create a better structured approach to how we are educating our children.

"We feel our children need to be taught that they can be proud Muslims and proud young British people.

"Anything that helps to make our communities stronger should be welcomed - provided that it's not used to isolate, control or change what a community is."

Sheikh Mogra went on: "This board has to be something owned by us, driven by us but supported by Government. We've made it clear that it's not for Government to touch our theology or touch the way we train our people."