EDITOR’S COLUMN
This month Islamism Digest returns to addressing the terrorism and extremism problem nearer to home. In recent years the United Kingdom has emerged as the site of the most advanced research into the causes of extremism and violent radicalism. This reflects a genuine desire by significant elements in British academia and wider civil society to contribute to the cause of community cohesion. It is regrettable that the British Government refuses to take on board many of the findings and prescriptions of reputable researchers and academics.
We at CFSOT believe that we have a clearer understanding into the causes of extremism and violent radicalism than many research or academic organisations in the West. Aside from the background of our staff, our unique access to community leaders, activists and leaders of organisations spanning the globe, gives us the insights and the knowledge-base to properly understand the phenomenon of violent radicalisation. This month Dr Kamal el-Helbawy – who has over 50 years of experience in the field – writes about the twin problems of extremism and the deteriorating relationship between key Muslim leaders in Britain and the British Government. Dr Helbawy explains that the two issues are linked and it is only by working with genuine community leaders that the British Government and the wider British society can realistically hope to defeat religiously-motivated extremism, violence and terrorism in the long term.
Continuing with this theme, Islamism Digest features an interview with Ali Asim, a veteran Yemeni diplomat and political activist. Asim has been living in the United Kingdom since 1967 and has closely observed developments in the Muslim community throughout the past four decades. In this interview he explains why things have gone wrong and what Muslims can do to put matters right.
We have two further interviews from the field research trips to Lebanon earlier. Usamah Hamdan, Hamas representative in Lebanon, talks to Islamism Digest about the movement’s activities in the country as well as explaining what Hamas is doing to counter extremism in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. Finally Ahmad Kasas, the President of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s media office in Lebanon, explains this controversial Islamist party’s activities in the country. Kasas also explains the party’s views on Hezbollah, the ruling 14 March Coalition and the deepening sectarian schisms in the country.
MAHAN ABEDIN
MANAGING EDITOR
