Jihad, Shari'ah, Caliphate on UK Blacklist

British Muslims who support Shari'ah, believe in the concept of jihad, believe homosexuality is a sin or fail to condemn the killing of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan would be considered extremists by the British government.

"The government is considering plans that would lead to thousands more British Muslims being branded as extremists," The Guardian revealed on Tuesday, February 17.

It said London is finalizing a new counterterrorism strategy, codenamed Contest 2, to be unveiled by next month.

"Contest 2 would widen the definition of extremists to those who hold views that clash with what the government defines as shared British values."

According to a draft of the strategy, British Muslims who promote Shari`ah, say homosexuality is a sin or advocate caliphate - a pan-Islamic state - would be considered extremists.

Those who believe in the concept of jihad, including the right of Palestinians to fight against the Israeli occupation of their land, will also be labeled the same.

Failing to condemn the killing of British soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan would also bring Muslims under the yoke of the new definition of extremism.

The new strategy does not stipulate taking legal action against such people but says they would be sidelined and denied public funds.

Britain is home to a sizable Muslim minority of two million, mostly of Asian backgrounds.

Incendiary

Some government officials believe the new counterterrorism strategy would prove futile and even "incendiary".

One official source told The Guardian that widening the definition of extremism would alienate more Muslims, whose support in fighting terrorism is much-needed.

He also cited fears the new plan could aid the far right groups who usually target Islam and Muslims in their rhetoric.

British Muslim leaders also fear it would further put the minority, which has taken the full brunt of anti-terror measures, under more pressure.

"It would be counterproductive and class most Muslims as extremists," Inayat Bunglawala, former spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), told the daily.

Bunglawala, who now runs Engage, an organization which aims at encouraging Muslims to participate in politics and civic society, said the new definition would affect many British Muslims.

"That would alienate the majority of the British Muslim public."

British Muslims have repeatedly complained of maltreatment by police for no apparent reason other than being Muslim.

The UN human rights committee in July disparaged Britain over growing anti-Muslim sentiments, urging a review of its draconian anti-terror measures.