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TALKING shop ... Castlemere Community Centre was packed out for the event
Hundreds take part in extremism debate
Shelina Begum13/ 2/2008
A PUBLIC forum organised to discuss issues affecting Rochdale Muslims was hailed a success despite one of its key panellists pulling out of the event just days before.
The event, which was held in a 'Question Time' format, had been organised with local MP Paul Rowen to discuss extremism, Islam and the Muslim community. But Mr Rowen later declined the invitation because a member of Hitzb-ut-Tahrir was also participating.
A spokesperson for Mr Rowen said: "Paul regrettably pulled out of the event after warnings from the police and other community organisations about giving publicity to Hizb-ut-Tahrir."
But organisers say despite Mr Rowen's absence, the event attracted over 200 people.
Organiser Majed Iqbal, who runs a community affairs website - Majeds Blog - said the event, held at Castlemere Community centre, gave the audience a platform to discuss issues at a grass root level.
He said: "The audience aired their views on the government's approach on tackling issues related to Muslims, especially with millions of pounds of funds being poured into the Muslim community.
"The Communities Secretary MP Hazel Blears has told councils to use £70m of government funding created to tackle extremism to pay for courses to help Muslim women play a greater role in public life.
"A lot of Muslim woman are doing their bit in the community and many at the event felt the money could be better used elsewhere like tackling gun crime in Manchester or given towards police officers who have marched through London because they're not happy with their pay deal.
"Many Muslims said they felt victimised. They are constantly being told to integrate and to help root out terrorists. But integration works both ways. If the Muslim community is being told to integrate then the wider community must also be told the same thing."
He added: "One of the pannellists, Ali khan, from Hizb-ut-Tahrir went on to tackle a multitude of comments and questions ranging from liberal values and Islamic values, materialism, the concept of Britishness, engagement with wider society, roles of mosques and Imams and what we can do to help the youth to be more active in airing their voice in the current climate."
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15/02/2008 at 16:53
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