I think New Labour wishes to castrate Islam and force Muslims to abandon the central beliefs of their religion if they wish to be accepted into British society.

The "threat" from Muslim's is simple. Most of them simply do not accept or support Britain's agressive foreign policy in the Middle East. How on earth can Ruth Kelly and other New Labour propagandists use the words "extremist" and "violence" after the illegal and criminal invasion and occupation of Iraq? Have they no shame, honour or even sense?

It's Blair who is the violent extremist, and the real threat to British values, and he's at the centre of power and runs the country!

After Thatchism, which was militantly anti working-class, militeristic and authoritarian; came Blair. He was Thartchrism with a human face, but amazingly he was even wilder and more militaristic than she was, a veritable wolf in sheep's clothing.

Basically New Labour wants to force Muslim's to support it's violent and imperialistic foreign policy, but I believe this is a vain hope and a dangerous illusion. If Islam means anything, it means brotherhood and solidarity with the opressed in Iraq and Palestine. Anything else would signal the surrender of Islam to western values and, in reality, its death. It's not enough for us to demand that Islam and Muslims change when we do not. The way forward is through mutual repspect and negotiation, and our withdrawal from the Middle East, not the imposition of our values on the Islamic faith, or else.

Participation, integration and cohesion are key issues for the UK and the Government must ensure that Black Asian Ethnic Minority communities and trade unions are fully consulted and involved in working towards equality in the workplace and the wider community.

Research has indicated that although the views of well educated professionals in BME community are being heard, this is not extending to some groups such as woman and disadvantage groups in BME communities. Policy and action will not be effective if BME communities feel that it is being imposed on them by the Government without their full involvement.

There also needs to be an understanding as what Integration and Cohesion means.

We have concerns that much of the Government’s agenda in this area is set in the context of terrorism and security. Combating terrorism and security are significant issues for this country, but it is important that action and laws to tackle these issues should not impede on applying justice consistently and lead to the erosion of human rights in this country.

Integration and social cohesion needs to go beyond the debate about how BME communities can be integrated into society.

Integration and social cohesion should be about creating a society where everyone can participate and contribute to economic, social and political life. This involves tackling all inequalities and ending the discrimination and barriers that exist not just because of race, but also gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age and class.

Employment is central to the integration and participation of everyone in society and important in tackling poverty and social exclusion. We are all aware that BME groups, particularly those of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin, have higher unemployment and lower pay than their white counterparts.

Government needs to develop targeted action and support for socially and economically disadvantaged people if we are to see real change in this country.

The Government also needs to wake up to the fact that racism and fascist views are gaining support this country and that they must take a leading role, along with Local Authorities, to combat these tensions by challenging the myths and misinformation by the press and far right-wing groups about migrant workers and asylum seekers. This fuels the support for BNP, poisons public opinion and leads to divisions in some poorer communities who should be united in campaigning for the end of poverty and social exclusion.

Additionally, an integrated approach is required across Government to progress on race equality in this country. In particular, there needs to be co-ordination around the policy initiatives that are being developed as a result of the Equalities Review Report and that of the Commission on Integration and Social Cohesion. We need a national action plan against racism with a co-ordination, consistent strategy, supported by BME communities, trade unions and voluntary organisations working for race equality. Local authorities would need to play a leading role in this strategy to ensure that action is co-ordinated at a local, community level.

We have waited long enough to race equality in this country and we must move forward now. We must unite to tackle racism. We must unite to end poverty and social exclusion. We must not allow communities to be divided for political aims.

These are desperate times for the New Labour party.
So they are taking desperate measures on the Muslims communities.
Muslims communities have been living in the U.K for a long time and never have been involved in terrorism .
Blair can not blame a whole communitie for the action of a few.
Blair has lost the war on ideas.
Ruth kelly should be looking after the different communities ! instead of dividing them and isolating the Muslim communities by using and carrot and stick approch.
The main problem is the foreigh policy of this country not the people who live in it.
Iraq and Afganistan should have never happen!
The troops need to come home now!
Blair needs to help its own people first before the rest of the world (he wants to have for his-self and his cornies!!!)

I read your article with interest and sympathy. But I need to sound a note of warning, which arises not from what you say (which I agree with) but from the topic under discussion. We need to be careful about a glib relationship to 'European Islam.' We have been hearing a lot about this new 'European Islam' in Denmark, where I am based, and it is usually a very patronising and historically incorrect vision. It posits a kind of secularisation/modernisation of Islam under the influence of Europe, which is another version of the old colonial mission and the White Man's burden, and completely forgets that there have been Muslims in Europe (in Eastern Europe, Mediteranean regions and, a bit later, Spain) before there were Christains in Denmark! Moreover, religious Muslims -- like religious Christians or Jews -- have a sense of community that questions nationalist divisions, and this can be a powerful force and not a negative one (if harnessed properly) in our age of globalisation.

Jihadi Bombers are Driven by promise of 'PARADISE 72' sensuous rewards-Is this not an open incentive for “ Genocide “ ?---
The motive is to gain the fabulous sensuous pleasures & Rewards ( 72 virgins & all luxuries etc for each & their families too ) promised in the KORAN. To know more about it refer to the celebrated PENGUIN translation of Koran by NJ Dawood, or detailed commentaries in Google/Wikipedia (Houri)/. See Chapters (Sura/Verses) 56/(12 to 40),55/( 52 to 68),55/ (72to-74), 76/ (12 to 22), .This is the easiest way for dropouts, drifters, idlers & the terminally ill to pass off in great glory as “Martyrs “ & also get rewards for their families who only rejoice & never mourn their death . Now even educated youths are being brainwashed to be martyrs by using newer methods like- food & gas poisoning, nuclear & germ warfare, aircraft sabotage, ship & train blasts,car bombing etc- to get these tempting sensuous rewards in Paradise.They are not misguided youth but educated & are DELIBERATELY doing so for the cause of Islam.Even one such fanatic out of a thousand is enough to cause great harm . All of them are unmarried,overnight become highly devout,grow beards & prepare for martydom. Most of them are silent members of ‘SLEEPER CELLS ‘ ready to act on their own, working secretly with even their closest relatives kept in the dark. ” ALL MUSLIMS ARE NOT TERRORISTS but ALL TERRORISTS are TURNING OUT TO BE MUSLIMS.” Is this not true ? Worldwide publicity should be given to this despicable hidden motive & the Radical Fundamentalist preachers must be made to condemn , denounce & deny these motives with banners & issue FATWAS -warning that their families will be outcasted , deported & lynched. They will never do it -as they are a party to it & actually exhort them in madrasas for Jihad and rejoice after the killings.Is this not an open incentive & call for Genocide ??? -Your comments please---