Cameron must not target Black British Muslims

African Muslim Communities throughout the UK will nervously be seeking assurances from the Prime Minister, David Cameron that his hard line ‘resolve’ to tackle the growing threat of Islamic rebels in North Africa will not translate in the wholesale demonization of Black British Muslims.

In a speech to the House of Commons the PM said:

This is a global threat and it will require a global response… It will require a response that is about years, even decades, rather than months.”

But perhaps even more worrying to many here was the PM’s focus on the ‘existential’ threat from jihadist, similar to minority of foreign nationals-some allegedly from the UK- who went to fight in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Somali leaders here in the UK for example, hope that the Government will cut off the oxygen that extremists need to recruit young vulnerable men by ensuring they are afforded decent education and the possibility of work. In many parts of the UK, Somalis belong to some of the poorest communities. The young see their elderly with chronic health problems and little support. Many youths themselves have no work, and no prospect for work. Gangs, and/or extreme religious beliefs are seen by a few as viable options.

The last thing British Somali’s and other Black Muslims need right now is a dragnet approach by the police and special forces which barely catches potential terrorist but does aid in widening and recruiting extremists.

This Government must learn the lessons from Labour’s ‘prevent agenda’ that alienated the very people that should have been helping the State identify and flush out those likely to be drawn into Islamic extremism.

Ultimately equality of opportunity will be the most effective deterrent against the radicalization of Black Muslims.

Simon Woolley