A petition to the Home Office signed by 100 Muslim organisations and scholars is calling for Sara Khan to be removed from her new role as counter-extremism tsar.

Groups including grassroots organisation MEND and the Muslim Council of Britain say the appointment is "deeply flawed and inappropriate".

The letter sent to Home Secretary Amber Rudd and seen by Sky News states: "We believe that this appointment will further damage relations between the Government and Muslim communities.

"We have no confidence in this appointment and are concerned that Muslim communities will refuse to liaise with Ms Khan, thereby defeating the purpose of her appointment to the role.

"We call upon the Government to reverse this decision with immediate effect."


The commission for countering extremism, which Ms Khan will head, was set up in the wake of the Manchester Arena attack last year.

Its aim is to develop a new community-led strategy for countering all forms of extremism.

Sara Khan was picked as its new commissioner for her work with the group Inspire, which she founded. It challenges gender inequality and Islamic extremism.

She told Sky News she wants to "extend a hand and reach out to communities" and is asking to be given a chance.

Image: The prevent strategy was accused of spying on Muslims

But she has been accused of being too associated with government and previous controversial policies.

Ms Khan was a vocal supporter of the Government's Prevent strategy, set up to "divert" people deemed to be at risk of radicalisation.

The scheme has proved controversial, with claims it demonises Muslim communities and spies on them.

The letter to Ms Rudd signed by dozens of Imams said Ms Khan "has no grassroots credibility within the Muslim community and no academic background or serious practical experience upon which to take up the role".

A spokesperson for the Commission said Ms Khan had been vouched for by numerous people, including former integration tsar Louise Casey, Conservative MP Nusrat Ghani and former terrorism watchdog David Anderson.

The counter-extremism organisation Quilliam has also welcomed the appointment. It wished Ms Khan "all the best in her new role", adding it hopes her task-force will "result in significant and positive change".

A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May earlier insisted Ms Khan was "expertly qualified" for the position.

They added she will "bring a wealth of experience and knowledge".