A year on from 7/7, there are some disturbing views from Britain's Muslim community

A poll carried out for today's Times reveals some alarming views being held by Britain's Muslim community.

More than one in ten thinks that the men who carried out the London bombings of 7/7 should be regarded as “martyrs”, whilst sixteen per cent of British Muslims, equivalent to more than 150,000 adults, believe that while the attacks were wrong, the cause was right.

On the other hand, more than half (56 per cent) believe that the Government has failed to combat extremism, (compared to 49 per cent of the general population who agree). Nearly half (49 per cent) of Britain’s 1.6 million Muslims also think it acceptable for the authorities to monitor what is being preached in mosques more closely. More than nine out of ten Muslims (92 per cent) say their community makes a valuable contribution to British society.

The survey tells a tale of two communities, the law abiding majority who back the government in fighting terror, and a growing minority who are at war with this country. This minority have been allowed to hijack the community for far too long, and much of the blame lies with the government and the law enforcement agencies. On countless occasions, moderate mosques have been forcibly taken over by what can only be described as thugs (the Finsbury Park mosque being the best example). On such occasions, law abiding muslims have pleaded with the authorities for help, but the authorities have done nothing, regarding any interference in communal affairs as racist.

If the authorites are serious about combatting extremism, they need to make a start by combatting their own naivety.