Britain's biggest Muslim group faces 'extremism' charges

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2005

LONDON (AFP) — The most respected voice of Britain's 1.6 million Muslims is under fire for pandering to radicalism, just as it is being called upon to play a bridge-building role in the wake of the London bombings.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) is a coalition of some 400 organisations, making it a privileged dialogue partner for Prime Minister Tony Blair's government after the July 7 attacks in the capital.

But a BBC documentary last weekend, and an earlier front page report in the Observer newspaper, have pointed an accusing finger at the council for harbouring militants and sympathising with Palestinian suicide bombers.

The BBC programme recalled the presence of MCB secretary general Iqbal Sacranie at a memorial service last year in London for Sheikh...