Sir, The exposure of Deobandi extremism highlights a deep problem in most Muslim communities: the absence of a single, central authority to which imams can be held accountable (“The home-grown cleric who loathes the British”, Sept 7). As a consequence, a very twisted understanding of Islam has found its way into Muslim thought, and many clerics devoid of proper learning enjoy significant influence within many mosques.

In fact it fulfils a prophecy of the Prophet Muhammad himself who warned that some centuries after him, mosques would become empty of piety and virtue, and the scholars would become “the worst creatures on earth”. These, the Prophet said, would be signs for the appearance of a Muslim Messiah who would revive true faith and restore the beauty of Islam.

Fortunately, there are several moderate groups today that have an impeccable track record of peaceful and progressive integration in the West, and always worked for a better society rather than preach alienation from it. Whether they are Sunni, Shia or Ahmadiyya, these groups need to be engaged more at a vitally important time.

WAQAR AHMAD AHMEDI, Birmingham

Sir, Anyone disturbed by your reports of extremism in some British mosques should be heartened by a weekend meeting in Birmingham of more than 300 Muslim grassroots community and organisational representatives who agreed to create a structure to confront the extremists.

They plan to do this through a new National Muslim Communities Development Network independent of existing organisations but which would draw on any expertise available from government or existing groups to help it “to address the challenges posed by radical/violent extremism”.

The network is to be run through the cooperation of communities and expert professionals (without a leadership hierarchy) with the aim of promoting “an aspirational and progressive vision of and for British Islam – one that allows British Muslims to play their rightful and full role in wider British society and polity”.

We trust that this most positive development within the Muslim community will receive support from all the other faith communities.

SIR SIGMUND STERNBERG
THE REV DR MARCUS BRAYBROOKE, Three Faiths Forum

Sir, Your Deobandi exposé is welcomed by progressive Muslims. Sadly, most British Muslims, through ignorance or fear, cannot resist the insidious designs and dogmas of this secretive and reactionary sect and its many dangerous offshoots in this country.

The rebuttal of anachronistic fanaticism in Britain is a twofold process: first, the advancement of a British Islam divorced from all alien ancestral interpretations but true to the fundamentals of the faith while becoming fully indigenous to this society. Second, the promotion of personal theological self-empowerment (as opposed to uncritical rote learning) to overturn the myopic religious monopoly of the Deobandi clergy. The aim is to reestablish the undistorted supremacy of the inclusive Koranic message and consign all nonscriptural and cultural-specific perspectives to the dustbin. This coordinated theological, political and educational strategy is spearheaded by the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford and is the only way to expedite Muslim integration and excise religious bigotry from the UK.

DR T. HARGEY, Chairman, Muslim Education Centre of Oxford

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