‘No evidence’ of extremism or radicalisation in Lancashire's mosques

Abdul Hamid Qureshi was speaking after a letter written by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, which called for mosques to do more to root out extremism, was challenged by some Islamic groups.

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Mr Qureshi, chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said he could “not see a great deal wrong it”.

The letter was also signed by Communities Minister Lord Tarid Ahmad. But it was challenged by the Muslim Council of Britain, which complained that the letter suggested Islam was “inherently apart from British society”. The letter said “the challenges of integration and radicalisation cannot be solved from Whitehall alone”.

Mr Qureshi, from Burnley, was disappointed by the fact that the LCoM, based in Norwich Street, Blackburn, did not receive a copy.

He said: “There is maybe a presumption that mosques are not doing enough to tackle extremism — but that is wrong. I could not see a great deal wrong with it (the letter) but it implies that mosques are not doing enough.

“Mosques are the hub of a Muslim’s community, serving education, families and tackling problems. We offer a great deal of help to people in east Lancashire. While the letter could have been better, it could have been a lot worse. We want to make a better community which is peaceful and caring. I have seen no evidence of problems in Blackburn and Burnley.”

Harun Khan, the MCoB’s deputy secretary-general, said: “We will ask Mr Pickles to clarify his request to Muslims to ‘explain and demonstrate how faith in Islam can be part of British identity’.”