UK govt to consult Muslims

Published August 1, 2005

LONDON, July 31: Britain’s interior ministry is to meet with Muslim community leaders to foster good relations after the London terror bombings, a Home Office spokeswoman said on Sunday.

The spokeswoman said eight meetings will take place before parliament returns in October, ending with “concrete proposals” on key issues from Home Secretary Charles Clarke.

“The government is introducing a series of meetings during the summer to discuss the shared challenges facing the Muslim community and the government following recent events,” the spokeswoman said.

London has been hit by two sets of bomb attacks blamed on Islamic militants, including one that left 56 people dead on July 7.

Three of the four men blamed for those suicide bombings which ripped apart three London Underground trains and a bus in the capital, were British-born Muslims of Pakistani origin.

The fourth was a Jamaican-born Briton who converted to Islam.

Home Office minister Hazel Blears and a junior minister were to visit eight British towns and cities during August to consult with Muslim community leaders.

“At the end of the eight meetings the home secretary (Charles Clarke) will host a major roundtable talk with Muslim leaders on September 20 to discuss concrete proposals,” the spokeswoman said.

—AFP

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