The British government is to fund a board of Muslim theologians (and jurists?) to debate key issues such as loyalty to the United Kingdom. It is hoped this will sideline ‘violent extremists’. The Times reports Muslim women will also be part of what they dub a ‘board of imams’. There are also plans to teach Muslim children about citizenship in mosques across the country.
What authority will this board hold? Who will define the label ‘Muslim’? Ministers are quoted by the BBC as saying the board will “reflect the diversity of Islam and Muslim communities in the UK”. What does that even mean? Does this include Muslims who may hold unpopular views regarding women, liberalism or gay rights? Or how about those on the other side of the spectrum (e.g. Muslims who are also gay, people who self-define as ’secular Muslims’)?
At first glance, this looks like an extra-legal attempt to set up so-called ’sharia courts’, but without the accountability element.
No separation of church and state, please. We’re British.
