Islam Channel Becomes the Latest UK Muslim Institution to be Attacked by the Quilliam Foundation
 
MCB, March 29, 2010

In their report published yesterday entitled 'Reprogramming British Muslims: A study of the Islam Channel', the Quilliam Foundation resorted to their trademark tactic of mischievously conflating the issues of social conservatism and violent extremism in a desperate bid to smear and undermine the UK's most popular Muslim television station, the Islam Channel.

"The Islam Channel has for a number of years now provided a vital platform for a wide range of UK Muslim viewpoints from all parts of the political and religious spectrum to be aired and has been extremely successful despite its financial constraints at addressing the issues that matter to British Muslims as is proven by its audience figures. It has consistently condemned violent extremist actions from all quarters including from al-Qaida inspired groups.

This attack by the Quilliam Foundation is only their latest in a long line of similar attempts since its formation two years ago to try and undermine the UKs major Muslim institutions and community organisations. It is deeply regrettable that the Home Office and the Foreign Office have provided funding from its Preventing Violent Extremism programme for the Quilliam Foundation to pursue what is clearly a very blinkered and sectarian agenda. We believe this not only contributes to damaging trust between UK Muslims and the government but adds fuel to the current wave of far right violence and attacks against Muslim communities," said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

The MCB urges the government to take urgent note that the Quilliam Foundation has no grassroots credibility among UK Muslims and its most vocal supporters are often right-wing Zionists and anti-Muslim bigots. 

*** 
 
The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK's largest Muslim umbrella body with around 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.

Media enquiries should be addressed to the MCB Media Office on 0845 26 26 786 or 07956 353 738. Email: media@mcb.org.uk.
 
Non-media enquiries should be addressed to the MCB Office at The Muslim Council of Britain, PO Box 57330, London E1 2WJ. Tel: 0845 26 26 786 Fax: 0207 247 7079
 
This press release and other MCB publications and information are available on the MCB website at www.mcb.org.uk