Citation

Thomas P. Polit. Q. 2009; 80(2): 282-291.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Political Quarterly Publishing, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1467-923X.2009.01985.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The 7/7 London suicide bombings of July 2005 and numerous subsequent Islamist terror plots have highlighted the reality of an 'internal' threat to Britain. One governmental response has been the 'Preventing Violent Extremism' (PVE) programme. Whilst the educational aspect of its focus on Muslim young people is to be welcomed, there are serious concerns as to whether PVE policy, as currently designed, is falling between two stools. To date, the programme focuses exclusively on Muslim communities in flat contradiction to the integration policy priority of community cohesion, so risking further defensiveness from Muslim communities and resentment from white working class communities. Whilst ignoring the right-wing extremism growing in some of those white communities, PVE work with young people is actually failing to engage openly and robustly with the real political issues driving Muslim anger and minority extremist support. The confidence, understanding and skills of educational practitioners are vital here. © 2009 The Political Quarterly Publishing Co. Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

Policies; Terrorism; Cohesion; Extremism; Multiculturalism; Islamic