Founder vows to save group that fights extremism

4:00pm Friday 18th March 2011 in News By John Geoghegan

THE FOUNDER of an anti-extremist think-tank has vowed to fight for its survival.

The Quilliam Foundation, set up in 2008 by former Echo paperboy Maajid Nawaz, from Westcliff, and Ed Husain, could shut within days after its funding was axed.

Both men were former Islamic extremists who turned their back on fundamentalism and opted to fight radicalism.

In December, the Government pulled the organisation’s funding of almost £1million a year.

MPs from all parties have pressed the Government for a transitional £150,000 Home Office grant, to allow breathing space while it becomes self-supporting. But the Home Office has only offered £40,000.

Mr Nawaz, a former Westcliff High School for Boys pupil, said: “It looks like we only have a couple of days left. It’s unreasonable for the Home Office to expect us to make the transition to private funding in two months. I’m determined to fight for it.”

Mr Nawaz said the £40,000 offered would only provide his salary and rent for three months and force him to sack all his staff. He highlighted the positive role Quilliam had played in the debate on Islamic extremism in the UK .

It has also helped fight extremism in Pakistan, by launching an anti-fundamentalist movement there.

The Prime Minister even took advice from the group, which influenced his recent controversial speech on multi-culturalism and extremism.

Quilliam has received about £2.7million Government funding over the past three years.

Damian Green, Immigration Minister, told MPs an offer had been made to Quilliam for tens of thousands of pounds to cover the next few months of basic operations.

Comments (6)

4:52pm Fri 18 Mar 11

thelonewhinger says...

Whilst it is commendable that these people have opted for the right road I believe that this project needs to be funded by the Islamic community and not the government of Britain.

Muslims in Britain continously stress that they condemn extremists and disassociate themselves from radicals. This is an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment.
Whilst it is commendable that these people have opted for the right road I believe that this project needs to be funded by the Islamic community and not the government of Britain. Muslims in Britain continously stress that they condemn extremists and disassociate themselves from radicals. This is an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment. thelonewhinger

6:38pm Fri 18 Mar 11

el caballero de la noche says...

Actually it is money well spent, these good guy's do need funds another 9/11 must be avoided at all costs.
Actually it is money well spent, these good guy's do need funds another 9/11 must be avoided at all costs. el caballero de la noche

5:02am Sat 19 Mar 11

gambit57 says...

The reason these con-artists and charlatans cannot get money from the Muslim community, is because the Muslim community up and down the UK loathes and despises these people. The "founders" consist of academic and personal failures -- "Ed" (not his real name) Hussain failed his GCSEs multiple times and is now a British govt approved academic commentator on Islam. The other Rashad Zaman Ali from Sheffield, ran credit card fraud and car theft rings and joined Quilliam as a result of cutting a deal with the police. And lastly, Mr. Nawaaz himself caught cheating on his wife at the local pubs and clubs (with British taxpayer funds) fund this stupid nonsense with zero grassroots in the community? I think not. I will close by quoting the erudite Quilliam spokespeople themselves:

"A QF spokesman said it ran a political workshop and did NOT need grassroots in the community because it was an ideologica­l movement..­.We are NOT a ‘represent­ative
organisati­on NOR are we a local grassroots movement."

source: http://www.hounslowa
ndbrentfordtimes.co.
uk/news/4594104.Coun
cil_attacked_for_Isl
am_training_choice/
The reason these con-artists and charlatans cannot get money from the Muslim community, is because the Muslim community up and down the UK loathes and despises these people. The "founders" consist of academic and personal failures -- "Ed" (not his real name) Hussain failed his GCSEs multiple times and is now a British govt approved academic commentator on Islam. The other Rashad Zaman Ali from Sheffield, ran credit card fraud and car theft rings and joined Quilliam as a result of cutting a deal with the police. And lastly, Mr. Nawaaz himself caught cheating on his wife at the local pubs and clubs (with British taxpayer funds) fund this stupid nonsense with zero grassroots in the community? I think not. I will close by quoting the erudite Quilliam spokespeople themselves: "A QF spokesman said it ran a political workshop and did NOT need grassroots in the community because it was an ideologica­l movement..­.We are NOT a ‘represent­ative organisati­on NOR are we a local grassroots movement." source: http://www.hounslowa ndbrentfordtimes.co. uk/news/4594104.Coun cil_attacked_for_Isl am_training_choice/ gambit57

7:01am Sat 19 Mar 11

el caballero de la noche says...

I really do not like people that believe achieving a few exams or the odd degree makes you some type of 'better person'

IT DOES NOT !!!!!!

I would have more more trust in the views of my Dustman who has received a real education in life rather than some 'erk' that has received a degree in prison whilst serving a life sentence and there are lots of those 'erks' out of prison employed as advisers to the BBC.

The term 'failed his GCSE's many time'
So fooking what!!!
I really do not like people that believe achieving a few exams or the odd degree makes you some type of 'better person' IT DOES NOT !!!!!! I would have more more trust in the views of my Dustman who has received a real education in life rather than some 'erk' that has received a degree in prison whilst serving a life sentence and there are lots of those 'erks' out of prison employed as advisers to the BBC. The term 'failed his GCSE's many time' So fooking what!!! el caballero de la noche

5:03pm Sat 19 Mar 11

thelonewhinger says...

I agree with the "Hockleyite" that it it may well be money well spent .....It is where the money comes from that I object to.
If funded by the country who is the victim of extremists it has the ring of a protection racket to me.
***
"gambit 57" may be providing accurate info or he may have his own agenda. I am content to agree that funding for this or any other similar project directed exclusively towards "ethnic only" projects should fall to the bottom of the list.
I agree with the "Hockleyite" that it it may well be money well spent .....It is where the money comes from that I object to. If funded by the country who is the victim of extremists it has the ring of a protection racket to me. *** "gambit 57" may be providing accurate info or he may have his own agenda. I am content to agree that funding for this or any other similar project directed exclusively towards "ethnic only" projects should fall to the bottom of the list. thelonewhinger

6:38pm Wed 23 Mar 11

Shpyder says...

Seasider90 wrote:
Whilst we allow religions to brainwash children and deny scientific fact leaving millions in mediaeval way of thinking we'll have to put up with idiot Muslims. What intelligent human being would believe that by blowing themselves up they will enjoy virgins waiting for them in the afterlife. Only backward people need religion - and if anyone can prove their God exists I'll take back every word. I think I'll be waiting a long long time.
Whilst I understand your views about radicalised religionists I feel that to only highlight Muslims is unfair.

There are many examples of other religions that have caused atrocities in the name of their 'religion'.

The truth of the matter is that all religions have a lot to answer for. While there is religion there will always be cowards that hide behind them in order to justify their misdemeanours.

I have no problems with people having religion, if they feel the need to, but, DO NOT TRY TO MAKE EVERYBODY BELIEVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE.

The only way to develop world peace is for tolerance to prevail.
[quote][p][bold]Seasider90[/bold] wrote: Whilst we allow religions to brainwash children and deny scientific fact leaving millions in mediaeval way of thinking we'll have to put up with idiot Muslims. What intelligent human being would believe that by blowing themselves up they will enjoy virgins waiting for them in the afterlife. Only backward people need religion - and if anyone can prove their God exists I'll take back every word. I think I'll be waiting a long long time.[/p][/quote]Whilst I understand your views about radicalised religionists I feel that to only highlight Muslims is unfair. There are many examples of other religions that have caused atrocities in the name of their 'religion'. The truth of the matter is that all religions have a lot to answer for. While there is religion there will always be cowards that hide behind them in order to justify their misdemeanours. I have no problems with people having religion, if they feel the need to, but, DO NOT TRY TO MAKE EVERYBODY BELIEVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE. The only way to develop world peace is for tolerance to prevail. Shpyder

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