Britain's forthcoming review of the country's counter-extremism strategy and the flagship Prevent programme must reduce the influence of self-appointed 'gatekeepers' to the Muslim community, a campaigning Conservative MP has told The National.
Boris Johnson's government named the ex-chairman of the Charity Commission William Shawcross to oversee a review process for the Prevent programme earlier this year. It is the first full-scale look at the functioning of counter-extremism policies since 2011.
Nusrat Ghani MP has welcomed the appointment, not least as a signal that the government will not give in to critics that call it anti-Muslim and want it scrapped.
She cited a recent survey that shows most British Muslims lacked awareness of the programme and were not demanding its demise.
Sharpening the focus of counter-extremism should be on the agenda, Ms Ghani said, in particular making a clear stand on hostile ideologies and those habouring extremism.
"What I'm calling for, as review of Prevent takes place, is that we really focus on ideologies, looking at far right ideology, which is rampant, but also of Islamist ideologies, so we can fully understand how these ideologies can take root.
"We need to be able to have a full understanding of the tipping points at which people can be radicalised into becoming violent extremists.
"Vested interests have consistently been negative about the Prevent strategy and the issue there is do those 'gatekeepers' really represent the community - those who are most vulnerable to having their children radicalised.
"Do we continue to deal with the gatekeepers who tell us one story but when we research the views of the community there is a very different story altogether?"
Ms Ghani was the first Muslim woman government minister to appear in the House of Commons and has since spearheaded a series of high-profile political campaigns. An expert on extremism she is a fellow of the Policy Exchange think tank.
A wide-ranging update of the programme should not only focus its work on Islamist extremism but also the growing right-wing threat in Britain and take account of the new circumstances created during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
"Violent extremists are predators, their job is to hook you in and narrow your world view. You can never stand still on an issue like this as violent extremists are nimble at changing their strategies and messages, so you can never stand still ever. And we must never make that mistake."
There isn't one simple way of preventing radicalisation, there's always going to be multifaceted approaches
The uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic and the fact that people are increasingly online necessitate a review of how online content is influencing people.
"There isn’t one simple way of preventing radicalisation, there's always going to be multifaceted approaches and we have to constantly review our policies, especially as threats evolved," she said. "Communities change and what's interesting with COVID is that so many people are locked down at home and are going to be online."
It also imperative that government officials have clearly marked rules of who they should engage with and what tests are set down to determine and check the influence of extremists.
"We have to make sure the public sector, especially the police, understand the impact of the rules of engagement," she added. "From my own experience in the community that I grew up, certain individuals who are involved in harbouring these ideologies end up making a Faustian pact with the police to get access or protection to the state.
"We can't in any way legitimise any of the violent players, when it comes to dealing with extremists."
Improving welfare of the sea's 'key workers'
Talking as she waged a battle against her own government on inserting genocide provisions in a forthcoming trade bill, Ms Ghani spoke of her own work to secure intervention on behalf of those facing persecution or disadvantage.
The amendment she pushes has been raised to address the situation in Xinjiang with trade-related sanctions.
As a former maritime minister, Ms Ghani has been a strong voice for international seafarers, seeking to ensure they are not left stranded on the high seas.
The pandemic shutdown has seen the situation for stranded seafarers worsen, but there has been a lack of a 'joint' international response to help resolve the issues they face.
"Seafarers are key workers. Full stop. Period," she said. "Everything we have comes from seafarers working -- medicines, medical equipment or vaccines for example."
Ms Ghani wants governments and international bodies to adopt a single, comprehensive strategy for the improved welfare of sailors and has the support of bodies such as the International Chamber of Shipping for her work.
Seafarers in the chain of employment are not seen and not heard and we need to change that
She says without a common approach hundreds of thousands of sailors will face basic challenges to get off the ships, access vaccines and healthcare. Going further, she sees the issue in terms of companies' 'Corporate Social Responsibilities' commitments. "Firms go above and beyond to promote their ability to get their freight to you but provide no insights into their care of their teams or the staff onboard the ship.
"Seafarers in the chain of employment are not seen and not heard and we have to change that."
By bringing back control of a whole gamut of international law powers, including the right to make trade deals, Ms Ghani believes that Britain can play a stronger global role.
Such a post-Brexit role can play out this year as London leads the G7 countries and hosts the climate conference, Cop26. It also includes greater focus on some bodies such as the International Maritime Organisation to push for a stronger role in regulating abuses.
"We've done something unique and fabulous in Brexit," she said. "We have a fantastic opportunity to promote our best values. We need to ensure we are promoting those values and standards when there are so many contradictory pressures on a global scale."
Results
6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m; Winner: Ghaiyyath, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Cliffs Of Capri, Tadhg O’Shea, Jamie Osborne.
7.40pm: UAE Oaks Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Zabeel Mile Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Zakouski, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Meydan Sprint Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: Waady, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The years Ramadan fell in May
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EClara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPatrick%20Rogers%2C%20Lee%20McMahon%2C%20Arthur%20Guest%2C%20Ahmed%20Arif%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELegalTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%244%20million%20of%20seed%20financing%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWamda%20Capital%2C%20Shorooq%20Partners%2C%20Techstars%2C%20500%20Global%2C%20OTF%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Knuru%20Capital%2C%20Plug%20and%20Play%20and%20The%20LegalTech%20Fund%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
More coverage from the Future Forum
Tori Amos
Native Invader
Decca
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The years Ramadan fell in May
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
