Article Added On: December 06, 2004 - over 3 years ago
Title: Muslims believe Blair creating 'climate of fear'
Author: AFP
Publication: ABC news
Publication Date: January 01, 2004 - over 4 years ago
Faith Groups: Muslim
Themes: religion in politics

Abstract: Eighty per cent of the country's Muslims in the U.K. reject Mr Blair's claims that the war on terror is not against Islam

Britain's Government is "creating a climate of fear" to justify its policies over Iraq and fighting terrorism, a top Muslim leader says.

Assam Tamimi, who is the president of the Muslim Association of Britain, has made the claim during an interview with the independent GMTV channel.

"I think there is a lot of suspicion, not only among Muslims but among the population at large, that all this is creating a climate of fear," he said.

"The war on Iraq and the alleged war on terrorism have been wars on the Muslim community.

"When you arrest Muslims early in the morning in their hundreds and end up releasing them without charge you are creating an atmosphere of horror and fear."

A poll last week revealed that Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Labour Party have dramatically lost the support of British Muslims, who have switched allegiance to the opposition Liberal Democrats.

Eighty per cent of the country's Muslims reject Mr Blair's claims that the war on terror is not against Islam - up from 68 per cent in March.

The poll was carried out for the Guardian newspaper.

Labour was once seen as the natural home of ethnic minority voters, with an estimated 75 per cent of Muslims who voted at the last election thought to have backed Mr Blair.

However, Labour has dropped six points to 32 per cent since March, while the main opposition Conservative Party has dropped nine points to 16 per cent.

The Liberal Democrats are up five on 41 per cent.

Some 1.6 to two million of Britain's population of 60 million are Muslims.

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