Muslim Group Disputes Claim British Mosques Radicalize Members

Hemera/Thinkstock(LONDON) — A top British official and a leading Muslim group are at odds over what should be done to counter the radicalization of young men in that country.

In a letter to the Muslim Council of Britain, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles wrote that while Muslims have made contributions to society, mosques and local leaders “bear a special responsibility” to keep young members from joining Islamic extremists groups.

Apparently angered by the tone of the letter, Harun Khan, the council’s deputy secretary-general, disputed the implication that members have been radicalized by British mosques.

Khan then fired back that Muslims who obey the law should not have to “go out of their way to prove their loyalty” to Britain.

Later, Prime Minister David Cameron backed up Pickles’ letter, calling his plea for help from Muslim leaders “reasonable, sensible, [and] moderate.”

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