Targeting Islamist Extremism

November 1, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7071258.stm

The government wants to stop violent Islamist extremism - and is looking at ways to do it at grassroots level.

A £70m fund to build resilience to violent extremism among the Muslim community has been promised by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears.

It is designed to fight extremism in schools and colleges, using drama, media, arts and sport; as well as giving community elders in mosques skills to target young people.

Ms Blears explained to a London conference that extremists reached the young and vulnerable not through mosques, but through places like gyms and bookshops.

"By helping [young people] understand their religion, equipping them with the confidence and skills to challenge and reject those preaching conflict, we can make today and tomorrow's communities more resilient to the violent extremist message," she said.