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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face=Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial
color=#ff0000 size=5><STRONG>PRESS RELEASE</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV></FONT><FONT face=Arial></FONT><I><FONT face=Arial size=1>
<P>For immediate release</P></I>
<P><STRONG>Tuesday 16 October 2006</STRONG></P></FONT>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=6><STRONG>Britain's foreign policy is marginalising
Muslims, a new survey by The 1990 Trust has found.</STRONG></P></FONT><FONT
face=Arial size=6></FONT><FONT face=Arial>
<P><STRONG>This new survey (sample: 1,213) reinforces that there is almost no
support for terrorism amongst the Muslim community. Just 1% of those surveyed
supported the 7/7 London bombings.</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>THE REPORT CAN BE VIEWED BY LOGGING ONTO: </STRONG><A
href="http://www.blink.org.uk"><STRONG>www.blink.org.uk</STRONG></A><STRONG>
</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>Many mainstream polls have shown higher rates of support for
extremism. The difference is explained by the way questions are
phrased.</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>The 1990 Trust believe their new survey reflects the real views of
Muslims, and that other polls have attempted to generate headlines claiming more
support for terrorism than is actually the case.</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>The survey of Muslim views found very high levels of dissatisfaction
with Britain's foreign policy, with 91% of respondents disagreeing with it. A
similar figure believed Tony Blair was influenced too much by George
Bush.</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>The vast majority (82%) say Muslims have become more radicalised in
recent times but in the form of attending demonstrations, writing to their MPs
etc (46%).</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>The findings come at a time when Muslims are reeling from
demonisation by a range of politicians and media. </STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>Ruhul Tarafder of the Trust said: ‘One of the main findings of our
report is the importance British foreign policy plays in the lives of
Muslims.</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>‘In many ways all roads lead to foreign policy, with 92% of those
surveyed disagreeing with policies pursued by Tony Blairs
government.</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>'It is as a consequence of foreign policy that primarily relations
between communities have deteriorated. The Muslim community seems now to be
scapegoated by the government and media for the formers own disastrous debacles
across the Middle East'. </STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>‘We believe this survey into the views of UK Muslims is one of the
most comprehensive ever produced, and gives new insights into a range of
issues.</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>‘Policy-makers who are serious about creating genuine good race
relations and equal outcomes cannot afford to ignore its
conclusions.’</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>The new survey does not just provide "yes and no" answers to
questions, but includes respondents detailed opinions. This provides an in-depth
insight into feelings within the community.</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>The 1990 Trust survey believes that British Muslims have tried very
hard to integrate into society, but daily media attacks - such as controversy
surrounding the Niqab veil - have increased feelings of isolation.</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>Evidence of this includes a letter from the Muslim Council of Britain
to Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly, in which the MCB protest about the
drip-feed of ministerial statements which stigmatise Muslims. </STRONG></P>
<P> </P>
<P><STRONG>For further information please contact Ruhul Tarafder on 0207 582
1990 / 07956 398739 or email: ruhul@blink.org.uk </STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>TRUSTEE, KAREN CHOUHAN IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW on 07903
581968</STRONG></P>
<P> </P>
<P> </P>
<P><FONT size=2>To view the full report please click </FONT><A
class=moz-txt-link-freetext
href="http://www.blink.org.uk/docs/muslim_survey_report_screen.pdf"><STRONG>http://www.blink.org.uk/docs/muslim_survey_report_screen.pdf</STRONG></A></P>
<P> </P>
<P></FONT><FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=3><STRONG>Notes to the
editor</STRONG></P></FONT><FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=2>
<P>1.The 1990 Trust is a human rights and race equality NGO set up to protect
and pioneer the interest of Britain’s Black Communities. The Trust is the first
national Black organisation established to influence the practical
implementation of the principle that ‘Racism is a violation of human rights’ via
the monitoring and analysis of public policy and parliamentary legislation to
assess the implications for and effects on the quality of life of Black
communities.</P>
<P>2. The 1990 Trust uses the word Black as a political term to describe people
of African, Asian and Caribbean origin. </P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>
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