There seems to be a general complaint that the UK government is treating the Muslims more favourably than other UK minorities. This is not just in the area of grant-funded community projects, but also in areas such as recognition for equal opportunities of sizeable communities like the Sikhs, meaningful community consultations, and building relationships between the government and minority communities. It seems, the government is totally preoccupied with building good relations with the UK’s Muslims, albeit, sometimes the reason are obvious and even justifiable. 

To quote a recent communication from a Sikh community group, “ The government has continued to set aside tens of millions of pounds specifically for the Muslim community in the UK ('community cohesion', 'Muslim Youth Engagement', 'Preventing Violent Extremism', 'Community Leadership Fund'). This is not matched by similar funds for other communities. Why this disparity and discrimination?”

A budget of £86 million set aside to fund activities which would befriend and hopefully educate and wean young British Muslims away from extremism, is seen as being used as a “gravy train” for some Muslim groups. To quote, “Kurshid Ahmed, a Muslim advisor to the government, in an earlier interview to Channel 4 news, described this sum as a "waste of public resource on frivolous activities". The last further venture on this, is the Community Leadership Fund.” 

 The threat is from, “dangerous forms of Islam”. We are informed that funding for one such scheme, “Preventing Violent Extremism” is in the hands of local councils. Councillors hand out these funds without any objective assessment of the feasibility of the projects to see if they are likely to meet the specified aims. Those reasonably adept at applying for funds have no difficulty in hoodwinking the local councillors. Some of us who live in towns like Southall and Slough, have experience of the calibre of councillors.

 The impression one gets is that, due to the threat of Islamic terrorism, the government is being blackmailed into handing out large funds aimed at the Muslim community at the expense of equal rights of other minorities to such funding. In fact, such special treatment may even be having the opposite effect by providing young radical Muslims the organisation, but without any clear accountability through integration objectives. 

 The UK’s Sikh community has also suffered in other areas. By not being counted as a distinct community in own right, the Sikhs are disadvantaged because of non recognition when it comes to equal opportunities and fair share of resources. By not being counted there is no statistical evidence of any disparities so far as they are concerned. No evidence of prejudice, therefore, no case!

So far as UK Muslims are concerned, they cannot be ignored due to the security threat posed by radical Islam. However, extra attention to Muslim needs should not be at the expense of recognition of the needs of other minorities. Indeed, their support is needed. Better understanding of the challenges faced by moderates in all communities including Islam, can lead to more co-operation in finding joint solution. All communities need friends. That includes the Muslim community in UK.