Announcing an additional £1 million funding to the UK universities teaching Islamic studies courses, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has called the politicians to pay heed to the 'voice of moderation' among Muslims to challenge extremist forces.
Speaking at an international conference on 'Islam and Muslims in the World today' at Lancaster House in London on Monday evening, Blair called for closer links betweens Islamic schools and mainstream state schools.
British politicians must listen harder to the 'calm voice of moderation and reason,' of the majority of the country's Muslims, he said.
"Those willing to come on television and articulate extreme and violent views make so much more impact than those who use the still, small voice of reason and moderation."
Critics said the London conference organised by the Cambridge University, had excluded Muslim groups opposed to government policies.
"In overwhelming part, they make a significant positive and growing contribution to modern Britain. We have successful Muslims in all areas of national life -- business, sport, media, culture and professions. We have our first Muslim MPs, first Muslim Members of the House of Lords; hopefully the next election will bring more and hopefully also the first women Muslim MPs," the outgoing prime minister said.
Blair said the conference had been organised to 'let the authentic voice of Islam, in their various schools and manifestations, speak for themselves.'
Asking Britons to listen to some of the most distinguished scholars and religious leaders the world over gathered there, he said, "I ask people in the country and wider to listen to them. They are the authentic voices of Islam," he said.
"The voices of extremism are no more representative of Islam than the use in times gone by of torture to force conversion to Christianity represented the teachings of Christ."
The extra funding came as a government-commissioned report by leading scholar Dr Ataullah Siddique said teaching of Islam in English universities was based on 'out-of-date and irrelevant issues.'
The fund was to go to UK varsities teaching Islamic studies courses, which were important to challenge extremism, official sources said, adding it will help train more imams in the UK.
Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said that Islamic Studies would be designated a strategically important subject, which the government believes would help prevent extremism and improve community relations.
Blair referred to Iraq and Afghanistan, saying the invasions had been opposed by many Christians and should not be seen as being driven by religion.
