The Schools That Divide the Nation; THE MUSLIM DEBATE If We Are to Succeed in Defeating Extremism, We Must Resist the March of Naive Multiculturalism, Says One Writer

Beginning of article

Byline: PATRICK SOOKHDEO

ONCE there were tens. Then there were hundreds.

Now Peter Clarke, head of Scotland Yard's Anti-Terrorist Branch, speaks of thousands of militant British Muslims, indoctrinated and radicalised in British mosques and madrassas like the Jameah Islameah school in Sussex raided at the weekend.

This is not, primarily, because of the influence of a handful of a few "preachers of hate". Islamic extremism has spread in Britain thanks to a particular brand of multiculturalism encouraged by this Government. And until ministers tackle it - especially the influence of Muslim faith schools - all their new efforts to build cohesion will come to very little.

The context goes far beyond Britain.

Contemporary Islam has burst out of its colonial restraints. Once colonialism removed power, jihad and territorial control from Islam, it was left a benign force focusing on prayer and good deeds.

But contemporary …