Readers may recall that the government’s committees that it set up to advise it on how to deal with Islamist extremism after the London bombings last July were stuffed with, er, Islamist extremists (see earlier post). Now they have reported. Guess what! They have concluded that the main problem is not what is wrong with Islam or the Muslim community -- but with Britain! Thus they say, as the Guardian tells us, that

foreign policy had been ‘a key contributory factor’ in driving extremist groups, and perceptions of injustices inherent in western foreign policy were triggering ‘radical impulses’ among British Muslims

and that

proposed Foreign Office database of ‘foreign extremists’ and a Home Office list of extremist websites, bookshops and organisations of concern will lead to a clampdown that will be seen as "censorship of all those who might criticise British foreign policy or call for political unity among Muslims: 'This is disingenuous to say the least, carrying the dual risk of radicalisation and driving the extremists further underground'

and of course that

the present anti-terror regime is already excessive [my emphasis], and that the measures risk provoking further radicalisation of young British Muslims. It says the proposal to make "inciting, justifying or glorifying terrorism" a criminal offence ‘could lead to a significant chill factor in the Muslim community in expressing legitimate support for self-determination struggles around the world’.

Instead, the Guardian goes on, they want

A rapid rebuttal unit to combat Islamophobia, a better reflection of Islam in the national curriculum, and the training of imams in ‘modern’ skills.

But hey — let’s not be unfair. They do also say that they want to convey to young British Muslims a ‘counter-narrative to terrorist readings of the Qur'an’. Promising. So who might they get to promulgate such a counter-narrative? Why, none other than our old friend Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi, who supports human bomb terrorism in Iraq and Israel. But not in the UK, apparently — so that makes him a role model for Muslim moderation!

As they say in my trade, you couldn’t make it up. Read it and weep for Britain. And let’s remind ourselves – this has been published by the British government Home Office. It might as well have published a national suicide note.