IN the immediate aftermath of the 7/7 bombings, Britain’s moderate Muslim leaders stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Tony Blair to condemn the attacks.

Just two months later, that consensus has broken down. Yesterday, those same leaders accused the Government of alienating moderates and helping extremists to thrive through the anti-terror plans.

Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, the leader of the Muslim Parliament, said that he and other mainstream leaders — widely characterised as the acceptable face of British Islam — have been frustrated. “We want to eliminate extremists within our community. But the Government seems to believe that we can only do so with legislation.

“The Prime Minister has underestimated the gulf between most Muslims, their leaders and the British Establishment. There needs to be consensus and discussion, and much gentle persuasion of mistrustful youth, not rules from on high,” he said.

Others have been concerned at the lack of consultation with moderate groups representing a majority of Britain’s 1.3 million Muslims. Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said that his group is being consulted over proposed “stop and search” policies but not over the anti-terror laws.

“There have been no talks, no advice, none that I know of with any Muslim. When it comes to what really matters, we are sidelined,” he said.

“We cannot be seen to support this legislation because it so obviously breaches human rights, and it will be British Muslims who will be targeted.

“The Government has not explained why the extension of detention to three months will make it more likely that we will detect terrorists,” he said.

One leading Muslim leader said that the legislation has driven a wedge between the Government and moderate Muslim groups who are struggling to gain the support of young British Muslims.

Ajamal Masroor, an executive member of the Islamic Society of Britain, said that his organisation would lose credibility if it supported the laws. “We have been trying over the last few weeks to win a war of ideas with a small number of our young people, and this legislation blows all of that hard work away.”

Mohammed Shahid Raza, an executive member of the Muslim College, which trains religious scholars, said that the targeting of radical Muslim clerics will alienate many young Muslims who have adopted their own imams.

THE MODERATES

The Muslim Parliament of Great Britain
Set up as radical organisation in 1992 — it supported fatwa against Salman Rushdie — its leaders are now firmly against “jihadist” movement in Britain

The Muslim Council of Britain
Umbrella organisation made up of 250 affiliated community groups and mosques from across country

Islamic Human Rights Commission
A non-profit- making, campaigning organisation affiliated to UN that has advised Government on number of policies

Islamic Society of Britain
Set up 1990, and known to be one of most progressive groups. It includes non-Muslim members

Muslim College
Privately run educational centre, led by Dr Zaki Badawi, that trains imams in Britain

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