Drawing Londoners together to tackle terrorism is tough

72/06
29 November 2006

The practicalities of working together to beat terrorism can be much more difficult than is generally understood, even when it comes to your own community.

This was the message heard throughout the fifth hearing of Counter-Terrorism: The London Debate, this time focusing on Asian men.

The hearing, held by the Metropolitan Police Authority to enable Londoners the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns around terrorism and counter-terrorism, was addressed by speakers from Muslim, Sikh and Hindu communities.

Suraj Sehgal, Director of the Hindu Council UK, said it was wrong to use the term ‘Asian’ to define a particular grouping:

“Asian is not a religion and should not be used in that context. And Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims seem to be lumped together when it comes to talking about terrorism and the radicalisation of young Asian men. This causes great distress among Hindu communities.

“Those not involved in terrorism should come out and demonstrate against those who are.”

Dr Jasdev Singh Rai, Director of the Sikh Human Rights Group, said people should not have to give up their culture to integrate, and that the isolation of Muslim communities had to be avoided if community cohesion was to be achieved:

“The wider public and police don’t realise the difference between different communities and often don’t distinguish between race and religion. We need better education of differences, and we need to do more to eradicate misunderstanding and misconception before everyone can work together and defeat terrorism.”

Tarique Ghaffur, Assistant Commissioner Metropolitan Police Service, the most senior Asian police officer in the country, said it was the job of police to pursue terrorists and those who sponsored them, and to protect the public. He also said working together with all Londoners was the best way to combat terrorism:

“We communicate directly with all of our communities in order to generate understanding, support and cooperation, as well as encouraging greater public involvement in policing.

“We understand the sensitivities around anti-terrorism work and particularly the use of stop and search. I know it is a contentious power, but it is an important tool we can use to help minimise the risk of terrorist attacks.”

MPA member Toby Harris, who chaired the hearing, said:

“Getting everyone together to discuss these issues and look for solutions is an important way to break down barriers and generate greater understanding among all of our communities.

“These hearings have shown us that whatever community or group we are from, we have far more in common than things that divide us. Now what we have to do is pull the threads together and support one another to look for solutions that benefit us all.”

Notes to editors

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