Press Release: MEND REJECTS THE FINDINGS OF THE SHAWCROSS REVIEW INTO PREVENT, AND THE UNFOUNDED ATTACK ON OUR ORGANISATION AND ARE CONSULTING OUR LAWYERS FOR LEGAL ACTION

Yesterday, the Government released the delayed “independent” review of Prevent by William Shawcross.

Instead of dealing with the many failings of the Prevent Policy, the review has turned out to be a blatant attempt to smear MEND and other law-abiding Muslim organisations. The report remarkably omits the wide range of non-Muslim organisations and individuals that have also opposed Prevent, exposing its clear failings and overt Islamophobic bias.

This report frames Muslim groups as terrorist sympathisers simply for voicing legitimate concerns about Prevent. This is unacceptable in a democratic and pluralistic society in which the freedom to criticise Government policy should be cherished and protected.

MEND will be putting out a detailed rebuttal against the unfounded insinuations and accusations against us in due course.

Aside from the above we will be considering this report in detail and exploring all means to forcefully respond to it, including consulting legal experts for a legal challenge.

Most of all we will not be bullied or intimidated into stopping the fight against Islamophobia, especially where Islamophobia is structural and institutional. MEND will be here for the Muslim community today, tomorrow and thereafter as long as Islamophobia remains a scourge in our society.

[ENDS]

Notes for Editors: 

• MEND is a community-funded organisation that seeks to encourage political, civic, and social engagement within British Muslim communities by empowering British Muslims to interact with political and media institutions effectively.
• MEND’s work has been commended by the World Economic Forum and EU’s Parliament Magazine.
• MEND works with the Crown Prosecution Service, police forces, schools and communities across the UK to tackle Islamophobia.
• For any enquiries, including information or interview requests, please contact: [email protected]