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David Cameron rejects criticism of extremism letter

David Cameron has defended a letter sent to Muslim leaders asking them to do more to prevent young people being radicalised, saying anyone who opposes it "really has a problem".

The Muslim Council of Britain has called on Communities Secretary Eric Pickles to clarify his request, and asked if, like "members of the far right", he was suggesting that Islam is inherently apart from British society.

Mr Cameron said the letter, sent to more than 1,000 Islamic leaders in the wake of the Paris terror attacks, was "reasonable, sensible and moderate".

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Muslim Council of Britain challenges Eric Pickles letter

An open letter to more than 1,000 Islamic leaders in England, urging them to do more to tackle extremism, has drawn criticism from the Muslim Council of Britain.

The organisation has asked Mr Pickles to "clarify his request" as it questioned whether if, like "members of the far right", he was suggesting that Islam is inherently apart from British society.

We will be writing to Mr Eric Pickles to ask that he clarifies his request to Muslims to 'explain and demonstrate how faith in Islam can be part of British identity'.

Is Mr Pickles seriously suggesting, as do members of the far right, that Muslims and Islam are inherently apart from British society?

– Harun Khan, Muslim Council of Britain
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David Cameron rejects criticism of extremism letter

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