Unity is top of agenda in mayoral bid

Published in Haringey Independent, October 12, 2007 on Fri 12th Oct 2007

THE latest prospective Mayor of London, a councillor from Haringey, launched his campaign by saying he believed racial integration would protect the city from homegrown terrorists.

Liberal Democrat Fiyaz Mughal, a Punjabi Muslim, has put uniting communities and home security at the top of his agenda.

His campaign launch last Friday came on the same day that Mohamed Al-Figari, 42, of Gladesmore Road, Tottenham, denied charges of links to plot terrorist training camps in the UK during his trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

Mr Mughal said: "Exclusion of communities encourages radicalisation of young men who feel they have no part to play in London society.

"If we integrate them into the community, we are making the first step in tackling this threat to security."

Mr Mughal also argued that extremist organisations of any faith should be aggressively targeted'.

He said: "I have a real problem with these so-called faith leaders. They carry with them agendas that can be radical and dangerous and do a real injustice to their respective faiths.

"I am calling for a system where faith leaders are elected democratically, not just those who want to push an extreme ideology."

Mr Mughal plans to produce a citizen induction programme for new immigrants.

He said: "The programme will make plain that some cultural practices are unacceptable in the UK.

"Social conflicts such as caste systems and civil wars should not be carried over when they come to Britain."