08/08/2005
Government considers ‘ethnic rebranding’
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears has suggested that ethnic minority groups could be ‘renamed’ in order to express pride in both their ethnic roots and their Britishness.
In an interview with ‘The Times’, Ms Blears said that she found the idea of US-style hyphenated terms, such as African-American “quite interesting” and said that she would talk to communities to see how they felt about titles such as Pakistani-British or Indian-British.
Ms Blears said: “I am going to talk to people and ask how does that feel? It is about your identity and I think it’s really important.
“If you want a society that is really welded together, there are certain things that unite us, because you are British, but you can be a bit different too.”
A Downing Street spokesperson stressed that the idea had been suggested to Ms Blears to be discussed in meetings with Muslim leaders and was not something the government was proposing or suggesting.
However, the Muslim Council of Britain greeted the suggestion with caution. The MCB’s General Secretary Sir Iqbal Sacranie told The Times: “What of the second generations? Why should they be defined as other than British?
Sir Iqbal also said that these forms of identity had been used before and had failed.
Shadow Home Affairs spokesperson Edward Garnier also said that Asian British people in his constituency regarded themselves as British anyway. He said: “They don’t need a government minister to tell them how to describe themselves.”
Ms Blears held a party with Muslim community leaders in Oldham last week and further meetings are planned in Burnley, Leicester, Leeds, Birmingham and London.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke is due to hold follow-up talks with Muslim leaders on September 20, in order to outline “concrete proposals”, Downing Street said.
(KMcA/SP)
In an interview with ‘The Times’, Ms Blears said that she found the idea of US-style hyphenated terms, such as African-American “quite interesting” and said that she would talk to communities to see how they felt about titles such as Pakistani-British or Indian-British.
Ms Blears said: “I am going to talk to people and ask how does that feel? It is about your identity and I think it’s really important.
“If you want a society that is really welded together, there are certain things that unite us, because you are British, but you can be a bit different too.”
A Downing Street spokesperson stressed that the idea had been suggested to Ms Blears to be discussed in meetings with Muslim leaders and was not something the government was proposing or suggesting.
However, the Muslim Council of Britain greeted the suggestion with caution. The MCB’s General Secretary Sir Iqbal Sacranie told The Times: “What of the second generations? Why should they be defined as other than British?
Sir Iqbal also said that these forms of identity had been used before and had failed.
Shadow Home Affairs spokesperson Edward Garnier also said that Asian British people in his constituency regarded themselves as British anyway. He said: “They don’t need a government minister to tell them how to describe themselves.”
Ms Blears held a party with Muslim community leaders in Oldham last week and further meetings are planned in Burnley, Leicester, Leeds, Birmingham and London.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke is due to hold follow-up talks with Muslim leaders on September 20, in order to outline “concrete proposals”, Downing Street said.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 August 2005
‘No racial profiling’ says Blears
Police should not use ‘racial profiling’ during anti-terror investigations, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears has warned. Speaking ahead of a meeting with senior Muslim leaders today, Ms Blears said that police should only use stop-and-search powers based on intelligence and not by targeting specific racial groups.
‘No racial profiling’ says Blears
Police should not use ‘racial profiling’ during anti-terror investigations, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears has warned. Speaking ahead of a meeting with senior Muslim leaders today, Ms Blears said that police should only use stop-and-search powers based on intelligence and not by targeting specific racial groups.
23 May 2003
'Frank' new drugs campaign launched
The government has launched a £3 million nationwide drugs awareness programme today for young people to anonymously get information and support on the effects of drug use. The 'Frank' campaign centres on providing young people with credible and reliable information to understand the risks associated with drug use.
'Frank' new drugs campaign launched
The government has launched a £3 million nationwide drugs awareness programme today for young people to anonymously get information and support on the effects of drug use. The 'Frank' campaign centres on providing young people with credible and reliable information to understand the risks associated with drug use.
02 March 2005
Muslim schoolgirl wins court case
The Appeal Court has ruled that a Muslim schoolgirl was unlawfully excluded from school because she wore traditional Muslim dress instead of the school uniform. Shabina Begum was sent home from Denbigh High School in Luton, because she was wearing a full-length traditional Muslim gown, known as a jilbab.
Muslim schoolgirl wins court case
The Appeal Court has ruled that a Muslim schoolgirl was unlawfully excluded from school because she wore traditional Muslim dress instead of the school uniform. Shabina Begum was sent home from Denbigh High School in Luton, because she was wearing a full-length traditional Muslim gown, known as a jilbab.
08 February 2007
Terror suspect criticises investigation
One of the two terror suspects released without charge by police investigating an alleged plot to kidnap and murder a British Muslim soldier has criticised the police investigation.
Terror suspect criticises investigation
One of the two terror suspects released without charge by police investigating an alleged plot to kidnap and murder a British Muslim soldier has criticised the police investigation.
31 October 2006
Prince’s Peshawar trip cancelled
Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall are to remain in the Pakistan capital of Islamabad over security concerns. The couple were scheduled to visit the north western town of Peshawar, but furious Muslim leaders have called for protests across the country following a major security operation in the region by the Pakistani military.
Prince’s Peshawar trip cancelled
Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall are to remain in the Pakistan capital of Islamabad over security concerns. The couple were scheduled to visit the north western town of Peshawar, but furious Muslim leaders have called for protests across the country following a major security operation in the region by the Pakistani military.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.