Analysis: Muslim fears at terror plans

By Dominic Casciani
BBC News community affairs

London bombs prompted rethink of anti-terror measures

If today you walked into virtually any mosque in a Western European city, you would find leaflets and material urging support for the Palestinian cause in the Middle East.

One newsletter randomly picked up some weeks ago in a mosque-cum-community centre in a northern city tells its readers what a good job the Palestinian organisation Hamas is doing helping the needy and defending people against Israel.

It includes the results of an essay-writing competition among some Muslim children in British schools, praising students who have worked to put the Palestinian cause on the agenda.

But the newsletter also describes Palestinian gunmen leading "numerous resistance attacks". Should Israeli forces or Jewish militants attack the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, one of Islam's holiest sites, the author warns there would be "an open, fierce war ... by any means".

In short, it presents violence as legitimate in the defence of Palestinian interests which, according to this newsletter at least, coalesce with the international concerns of many Muslims.

Apology for terrorism?

To the Israeli government and its supporters, this kind of talk makes an apology for terrorism. However many Muslims would regard it as uncontroversial, given the extraordinary circumstances of the conflict in the Middle East.

Soul-searching, but no consensus among Muslims

The question in the aftermath of the London bombings, however, is whether this kind of talk would be considered a legitimate part of British political debate - or simply a danger to national security.

The government has unveiled its package of proposed anti-terror measures - and for many Muslims in Britain it is deeply troubling.

No leading Muslim argues against tough measures to prevent terrorism because it is a danger to everyone: the list of the London victims included black and white, rich and poor, Muslim and non-Muslim.

But many still regard the government's response as being, at best, cack-handed and, at worst, having the potential to infuriate an anxious, young constituency that already feels that it is under the spotlight.

For his part, the prime minister has been clear about why he thinks these laws are needed. He also believes civil liberty fears are being "exaggerated" and that with rights come responsibilities.

Key measures

One of the proposals already exercising Muslim opinion is the plan to outlaw "glorification" of terrorism. How this will work in practice remains to be seen but already critics, including the leading Muslim organisations, claim it may be unworkable.

NEW TERROR PLANS Outlawing "glorification" of terrorism Offence of acts preparatory to terrorism Law against giving or receiving terror training New offence against indirect incitement of terrorism Powers to tackle bookshops selling extremist material Using phone-tap evidence in courts being considered Pre-charge detentions powers extended from two weeks to three months Those applying for British citizenship must be "of good character"

Take the leaflet from our northern mosque, for instance. Is the description of Palestinian gunmen prepared to fight "by all means" glorification of terrorism, given that "by all means" may include blowing oneself up to kill the enemy?

If one of the students in that essay-writing competition remarked that Palestinian suicide bombings were justified as a weapon of last resort against a powerful enemy - a view held by some, but by no means all Muslims in the West - would that constitute glorification?

Bookshops

Another key proposal comes from widespread concern in security circles over so-called "Islamic bookshops".

Typically, the most controversial works are written, published and translated abroad by authors with little relationship with or understanding of modern Western culture - but the government proposes new powers to tackle shops selling extremist material.

Fuad Nahdi, publisher of Q news, a leading current affairs magazine among Muslims in Britain, has said in the past that some of these bookshops circulate a "filth" which has poisoned the core message of Islam.

Tariq Ramadan, the Swiss Islamic reformer followed by many Western Muslims will tell anyone who listens (including ministers) that these bookshops need to change.

But what appears to be of equal concern among many Muslims is that measures against what they regard as freedom of thought would become a witch-hunt of those angry at the direction of British foreign policy - in particular the war in Iraq.

Month of reflection

The Muslim concerns do not begin and end with the "glorification" issue or the proposed targeting of suspect booksellers - a lot of people feel very uneasy about the proposal to extend detention without charge and the measures to deport suspected extremists to Middle East nations known to have used torture.

But undoubtedly, the principal concern remains why four young men blew themselves up in London. The months since the bombings have seen a lot of soul-searching among British Muslims - but there remains no consensus over what should be done.

However, that may change very quickly thanks to the imminent start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

It is traditionally the time of reflection within the faith, the time when the mosques are full, the new community radio stations chatter and the pamphleteers are outside every prayer hall.

In that climate, the soul-searching may very quickly become firm political positions.

And these will influence the government's ability to carry the UK's 1.8m Muslims with them in a battle against extremism.