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New funding to train imams in UK More UK imams needed, says Blair
(20 minutes later)
Tony Blair has announced more government funding to train Muslim imams in UK universities, to reduce reliance on imams from overseas. Tony Blair says he wants more Muslim imams trained in UK universities, to reduce reliance on imams from overseas.
There are concerns that imams from another country may not understand British society or speak good English.There are concerns that imams from another country may not understand British society or speak good English.
The prime minister was addressing international Muslim leaders at a major conference on Islam in London. The prime minister told Muslim leaders at a London conference that Islamic studies courses at university would receive an extra £1m funding.
Meanwhile, a report says teaching of Islam in English universities is based on "out-of-date and irrelevant issues". It came as a report said teaching of Islam in English universities was based on "out-of-date and irrelevant issues".
Academic Ataullah Siddiqui's review paints a picture of Islamic studies departments where the post-9/11 and 7 July world has largely passed them by.Academic Ataullah Siddiqui's review paints a picture of Islamic studies departments where the post-9/11 and 7 July world has largely passed them by.
'Calm voice''Calm voice'
It concludes that more emphasis should be placed on Islam in a modern context.It concludes that more emphasis should be placed on Islam in a modern context.
Mr Blair announcement came in a speech at the conference, hosted by Cambridge University but held in London. Mr Blair's announcement came in a speech at the conference, hosted by Cambridge University but held in London.
He said British politicians must listen harder to the "calm voice of moderation and reason" of the majority of the country's Muslims.He said British politicians must listen harder to the "calm voice of moderation and reason" of the majority of the country's Muslims.
We want a debate within higher education about how Islamic studies are developed Bill RammellHigher education ministerWe want a debate within higher education about how Islamic studies are developed Bill RammellHigher education minister
He also said it was wrong to equate Islam and Muslim communities with extremism and stressed the importance of hearing the authentic voices of Islam and the country's Muslim communities.He also said it was wrong to equate Islam and Muslim communities with extremism and stressed the importance of hearing the authentic voices of Islam and the country's Muslim communities.
And he also called for closer links between Islamic schools - madrassas - and mainstream British education.And he also called for closer links between Islamic schools - madrassas - and mainstream British education.
Higher education minister Bill Rammell said that ministers will now label Islamic studies a "strategic subject" because of its role "in preventing extremism".Higher education minister Bill Rammell said that ministers will now label Islamic studies a "strategic subject" because of its role "in preventing extremism".
Funding boostFunding boost
He said: "Whilst we can't control the content of courses, we want a debate within higher education about how Islamic studies are developed, how they do ensure that we're not just looking at Islamic studies from a Middle Eastern perspective, but we actually look at the important role of Muslims where they are a minority faith within a multi-cultural society."He said: "Whilst we can't control the content of courses, we want a debate within higher education about how Islamic studies are developed, how they do ensure that we're not just looking at Islamic studies from a Middle Eastern perspective, but we actually look at the important role of Muslims where they are a minority faith within a multi-cultural society."
A funding boost of £1m is expected to be announced to plug gaps highlighted by Dr Siddiqui's report.A funding boost of £1m is expected to be announced to plug gaps highlighted by Dr Siddiqui's report.
The review was commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills to assess the way in which Islam is taught and to improve support for Muslim students.The review was commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills to assess the way in which Islam is taught and to improve support for Muslim students.
'Complete ignorance''Complete ignorance'
In his report, Dr Siddiqui says discussion about the teaching of Islam in higher education has been conducted "in complete ignorance of the Muslim community and their patterns of belief and practice".In his report, Dr Siddiqui says discussion about the teaching of Islam in higher education has been conducted "in complete ignorance of the Muslim community and their patterns of belief and practice".
He also says that "a major shift of focus" from "an Arab and Middle Eastern perspective to that of a plural society in Britain is needed".He also says that "a major shift of focus" from "an Arab and Middle Eastern perspective to that of a plural society in Britain is needed".
The report concludes that Islamic studies syllabuses should focus on aspects of Islam "relevant to contemporary practice of faith".The report concludes that Islamic studies syllabuses should focus on aspects of Islam "relevant to contemporary practice of faith".
Students should be able to learn parts of the syllabus from Islamic scholars, it adds.Students should be able to learn parts of the syllabus from Islamic scholars, it adds.
It also calls for more recognition of the importance of campus Islamic societies and more prayer facilities.It also calls for more recognition of the importance of campus Islamic societies and more prayer facilities.
Last week the University and Colleges Union unanimously voted to oppose plans urging lecturers to fight against extremism on campuses.Last week the University and Colleges Union unanimously voted to oppose plans urging lecturers to fight against extremism on campuses.
The government had asked lecturers to monitor the activity of Muslim students and to report any suspicious behaviour.The government had asked lecturers to monitor the activity of Muslim students and to report any suspicious behaviour.