Britain to fund independent board of Islamic

London, Jul 19 (PTI) In an attempt to sideline extremists
among Muslims, Britain plans to fund an independent board of
Islamic theologians to debate on issues of faith such as
women's rights and loyalty to the U.K.

Under the plan, Oxford and Cambridge Universities will
bring together about 20 leading thinkers to debate critical
issues affecting Muslims in the U.K. and to focus on examining
issues relating to Islam's place in Britain, the duties and
obligations as a citizen.

The plan has angered hardliners who accuse ministers of
trying to create "state-sponsored Islam".

Countering the accusation, Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, an imam
with the Muslim Council of Britain, said the proposed board
was the brainchild of Muslims and not the government.

Secretary Hazel Blears of the Department for Communities,
which is responsible for the government's strategy to combat
violent extremism, known as "Prevent", said it is the
government's job to support Muslim leaders on controversial
issues.

She said the department's support for the project emerged
out of debate with Muslim communities who asked ministers to
help support the work of key thinkers across the U.K.

"We felt we needed something of this nature to help
create a better structured approach to how we are educating
our children. We feel our children need to be taught that they
can be proud Muslims and proud young British people," he told
BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Though the government will fund the proposed board, its
work, which includes conducting seminars around the country,
will be completely independent of political interference,
sources said today.

"We have made significant progress working with
communities to build an alliance against violent extremists.
We have a responsibility to ensure that our young people are
equipped with the skills they need to stand up against violent
extremists and help them understand how their faith is
compatible with wider shared values," Taji Mustafa, member of
Hizb ut-Tahrir, a global Islamic political party, said.

"It is not for government to dictate on matters of faith
or religious teaching. But Muslim communities themselves have
told us that stronger leadership is needed on what are often
controversial issues," he added.

France and Germany which have large Muslim populations,
have such bodies to represent Muslim opinion.