Sajid Javid calls on British Muslims to ‘go further’ in fight against extremism Sajid Javid has called on Britain’s Muslim communities to “go further” in the fight against extremism following the terror attack at […]

Sajid Javid has called on Britain’s Muslim communities to “go further” in the fight against extremism following the terror attack at London Bridge on Saturday night.

While acknowledging that society as a whole has a responsibility to tackle terrorism, the communities and local government secretary – one of Britain’s most senior Muslim politicians – said there is a “unique burden” on those who follow the religion.

“There’s no avoiding the fact that these people [the attackers] think they are Muslims. They identify as Muslims. And they carry out their attacks – ignorantly, offensively – in the name of Islam,” Mr Javid wrote in the Times.

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“That’s why, although we all share the responsibility for tackling terrorism, there’s a special, unique burden on the Muslim community.”

‘The path to peace’

‘They identify as Muslims. And they carry out their attacks – ignorantly, offensively – in the name of Islam. Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Witnesses from the attack on Saturday reported hearing the three perpetrators shouting “This is for Allah!” as they mowed down and stabbed their victims.

Mr Javid added that he believes the fight against extremism will not be won “on the battlefield or through negotiation” but through the hearts and minds of young Muslims.

“We need them to set off on the path to peace rather than the road to war,” he wrote.

“We need to offer not just a counternarrative, which rebuts the extremists, but a positive and self-confident narrative that promotes pluralistic, British values – and their compatibility with an Islamic life. And that message can best come from within the Muslim community.”

Pressure on authorities

‘This perverse ideology is overwhelmingly despised by every community across London – of all faiths and none.’ Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

Police have made 12 arrests in east London since the attack in which seven people died and 48 were injured.

Claims have also emerged that one of the attackers was a known extremist who had been reported to the anti-terror hotline on more than one occasion.

One man told the BBC that he reported the attacker after speaking to him about a similar Isis-inspired attack.

“I did my bit… but the authorities didn’t do their bit,” he said.

Pressure has grown on the police and Prime Minister Theresa May after claims that similar reports about Salman Abedi – the Manchester bomber – were also ignored.

‘Perverse ideology’

London mayor Sadiq Khan, who is also Muslim, struck a defiant tone when addressing the attack on Monday.

Writing for the Evening Standard, Mr Khan distanced the attackers from Islam and said London must come together to tackle extremism.

“We need to work with communities, the Government and others to tackle extremism in our midst,” he said.

“This perverse ideology is overwhelmingly despised by every community across London – of all faiths and none. By working together we must deprive extremism of its oxygen and not exaggerate its support or alienate communities in the process.”