The British government is preparing measures to encourage Muslim imams to conduct their sermons in English in an attempt to curb hate preaching.
A counter-extremism task force is working on plans to tackle the problem following concerns that preaching in foreign languages creates divisions between Islam and mainstream British Society and could potentially foster radicalisation.
Government Ministers inspired by some countries in the Middle East intend to ask that the preaching is published online in English, The Telegraph reported. “If imams are speaking in another language it makes it far harder to know if radicalisation is taking place,” a senior government source told the paper.
The exact counter-extremism measures are yet to be finalized, but a government source claimed that tough licensing rules for foreign preachers were being considered.
At the moment, imams from outside the European Union who go to Britain have to prove their English proficiency before a visa can be granted. It’s unlikely that any new licensing scheme for imams will be applied to preachers already residing in the country, fearing the perception that it’s a restriction on religious freedom.
Curbing radicalisation in Britain was one of Prime Minister Theresa May’s top priorities during her time as Home Secretary. Back in 2015, she set out a number of “bold” measures to tackle home-grown radicalism.
“Everybody in our country is equal and everybody is free to lead their lives as they wish. But our society does not just confer rights; it demands responsibilities,” then-Home Secretary May said.
“You have the freedom to live how you choose to live – but you must also respect the freedom of others to live how they choose to live.”
May also suggested helping people to learn English and hinted at tighter language rules on “foreign religious workers in pastoral roles”.
Imams’ lack of English proficiency has been a subject of a debate for more than a decade. According to a survey of 300 Mosques in 2007, only 8 percent of imams were born in the country in which they preach and only 6 percent of them were able to speak English as their first language.
A government spokesman denied any plans to impose new rules on imams and preaching at Mosques. “There are no plans to license imams or require imams to have a minimum level of English language proficiency beyond visa requirements already in place,” the spokesman told the paper.
