Building a national coalition against extremism

Two weeks ago, I set out a vision for a Britain that overcame not only its economic problems, but its social ones too. And one of the biggest social problems we face is extremism. 

Subversive, well-organised and sophisticated in their methods, Islamist extremists don’t just threaten our security, they jeopardise all that we’ve built together – our successful multi-racial, multi-faith democracy. So we have to confront them wherever we find them.

 That’s why, today, we publish our Counter-Extremism Strategy. It sets out our plan to tackle this poison on every level: to counter the ideology that underpins it; to take on both the violent and non-violent parts of the creed; to empower the mainstream voices that are too often drowned out; and to tackle the alienation and segregation that can allow extremist narratives to take root.

Read the government's Counter-Extremism Strategy. 

 As we do all this, we should remember these vital insights:

One: this is a generational battle; perhaps the defining one of this century. Defeating our enemies will take time, patience and require us constantly to adapt.

 Two: this is, at its heart, a battle of ideas. On one side sit the extremists, with a deliberate strategy to infect public debate, divide our communities and advance their warped worldview. On the other side must sit everyone else – not just the institutions of the state, such as the government, police and security services; but community groups and the rest of society. The extremist narrative needs to be fought every day at the kitchen table, on the university campus, online and on the airwaves. In the end, this battle will only be won through argument and persuasion – people taking a stand to demonstrate the incredible power of our liberal, democratic values, and the emptiness of theirs.

 For those who have been sucked furthest into the extremist worldview, our strategy also includes new proposals for intensive – and mandatory – de-radicalisation programmes. That means attendance at programmes can be made a condition of a licence for terrorist offenders after their release from prison, or part of a court order against a suspected terrorist – including those returning from Syria.  

Three: while Islamist extremists in no way represent the true spirit of Islam, we cannot ignore the fact that they attempt to justify their views and actions through Islamic scripture and theology. 

 Globally, it is a challenge for all of Islam that a perverted, illiberal and hostile interpretation of this great religion has been allowed to grow. It is a problem that so many see the West as an oppressor, and buy into the grievances, if not necessarily the violence. And it is a worry for the world that some feel allegiance only to a religious brotherhood, instead of to their fellow citizens in nation states.

 So in response, we need to support Muslims who are confronting the extremist narrative and providing a positive alternative. There are already so many. Last week I convened the first meeting of my Community Engagement Forum – many of them Muslims angry at the hijacking of their faith, eager to take a stand.

Sajda Mugha from JAN Trust attended last week's Community Engagement Forum at Number 10. 

I know we have got to back these people wholeheartedly. So we will offer all the protection, funding, practical help and support we possibly can. That’s why, as part of our strategy, we will provide a further ￡5 million this year to community groups so they reach even more young people.

 But we need more – far more – people to come forward. As a government, I know we must own this problem. But our Muslim communities must own it, too. We have all got a critical part to play, but I strongly feel the currently silent majority can make all the difference.

 They’re central to standing up and challenging the warped interpretation of theology and scripture. They’re central to putting forward a liberal, tolerant and inclusive Islam, and demonstrating how it can work in harmony with democracy, freedom and equality.

 They can show the boy in East London or the girl in Birmingham how proud you can feel to be both British and Muslim, without conflict or contradiction. And in standing up, by speaking out, I am confident that we will defeat the extremists, and together build the Greater Britain that is within our grasp.