Muslim clerics face English test

The Muslim Council of Britain is backing the new rules

Imams and other foreign ministers of religion will have to sit an English test, under new Home Office rules.

From September they will need to prove they have a "basic" grasp of spoken English before coming to the UK.

In two years the Home Office plans to raise the level of English required before entry from basic to "competent".

Home Secretary David Blunkett said the tests were necessary so ministers could speak for the communities they represented.

In the future ministers of religion may also be required to demonstrate a knowledge of the British way of life and other faiths.

'New generation'

Plans for a language test were first outlined two years ago.

Since then the Home Office has consulted faith groups about the issue.

"We are encouraged that many faith representatives recognise the need for ministers to speak for the communities they represent and in particular to communicate effectively with the younger generation," Mr Blunkett said.

One of the groups consulted, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has welcomed the imminent implementation of the language test.

MCB spokesman Inayat Bunglawala told BBC News Online they had backed the plan from the start.

"It is important for anyone planning to settle in the country, including imams to have a knowledge of the English language.

"Not just to facilitate their integration but also to help them connect with new generation of British-born Muslims," he said.