DEAR EDITOR

Shifting the blame.

Ruth Kelly tried to deny that the government is shifting the problem of community cohesion on to the Muslim community. Report after report has shown that the ‘war on terror’ has fuelled extremism and terrorism, yet the government is in complete denial that foreign policy is at fault and instead has a real campaign to shift the blame on to the Muslims.

For example, John Reid’s demand that Muslim parents spy on their children, Straw’s comments on the veil causing ‘separation and difference’ and Kelly’s previous comments on Islamic schools promoting extremism and isolationism, show clearly that the government is intent on shifting the blame from foreign policy to the Muslim community.

We also saw Gordon Brown trumpeting the same line, showing that he too is a firm believer of the outdated vision of empire, colonialism and exploitation.

He talked about pursuit of liberty, democracy and justice, quite keenly missing out brutal occupation, support for dictators and tyrants, extraordinary rendition, increased torture in Iraq, draconian anti-terror laws, atrocities in Fallujah, Haditha, secret prisons, and incarceration without trial at Guantanamo.

Even the recent Lancet report highlights clearly how the foreign adventure continues to be a great nightmare and we should expect the government to deny this report and deflect the blame…ridiculous.

Asir Ayaz