Godfrey Bloom

The other day I came across a book called 'The Cold War on British Muslims". I wondered what to expect. No surprises, however. It is a little demonstration of frustrated left-wing activists bitter about the support that the individuals and groups they see as their opponents are receiving.

The long title practically says it all. The second part of the front page title reads thus:-

"'An examination of 'Policy Exchange' and 'The Centre for Social Cohesion'".

These are two respected 'think-tanks' respected whether you agree with their various thoughts or not.

Two of the authors of the book are freelance writers, Scots, with a connection to the University of Strathclyde, while the third author is a professor of Sociology.

The University of Strathclyde was formed in 1964 out of the combination of Glasgow Tech, and the Scottish College of Commerce. Later in 1993 it added Jordanhill College of Education to its campus.

There is virtually no argument worth tuppence in the book. It is focused on the two charities above and their funding. The authors have gone to considerable lengths to find out who supports them financially, and by how much. As several of the lead donors are Jews, there is also a strong anti-Jewish bias. (I don't like to use 'anti-semitic' as Arabs are also Semites).

That is about it. They report some occasions when the two think-tanks have said something about British Muslims.

There is no reference to the fact that all Muslims are not the same. There is no reference to the bitter divisions between Sunni, Shia, Ahmadi, and others leading to the members of some 'denominations' being more open or less open to becoming terrorists.

They disparage the major donors to the think-tanks. It is a bit like "we know where you live...."

We are used to a bit of terrorism in this country. For a few decades it was disaffected people from Ireland, now it is disaffected people whose link is not another country but their understanding of a religion. This book is not a lot of help in this respect.