The Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality today welcomed the Muslim Council of Britain's latest initiative to help counteract terrorism and announced the appointment of the CRE's own special ambassador for Britain's Muslim communities. Speaking ahead of the Muslim News Awards for Excellence, CRE Chair, Trevor Phillips, said "The MCB's decision to write to all Imams calling on British Muslims to shun terrorists is good news. It is also a courageous act by mainstream Muslim leaders who know that this simple appeal to their communities could turn each of them into targets for extremists.

However, this is not the first time that they have shown such leadership. A quick glance at the MCB website shows their press releases, statements, letters to newspaper editors and speeches have consistently condemned terrorism and terrorist atrocities.

Tonight's awards highlight just some of the major contributions British Muslims make to our society. Yet we do not recognise those contributions as we should. That's why the CRE intends to play its part in giving British Muslims a louder voice."

Trevor Phillips announced that he has appointed Khurshid Ahmed, a CRE commissioner, to act as the organisation's official spokesperson on Muslim issues. Mr Phillips said: Government, the media and Muslim communities themselves need to hear the authentic, representative voice that is emerging amongst British Muslims rather than that of the extremists. Giving Khurshid the authority to speak on behalf of the Commission is one way of achieving that prominence. I know that he will speak out forcibly and courageously for his fellow Muslims."

Khurshid Ahmed is the Chair of the National Association of British Pakistanis and President of Dudley Muslim Association. He has been a CRE Commissioner since 2002. He recently called on local Muslim organisations in the West Midlands to find out whether there are external factors attempting to target vulnerable youths.

Khurshid Ahmed said "I am pleased to have been given this opportunity. The recent atrocities in Madrid and the discovery of incendiary equipment in London's suburbs have heightened fears and increased the focus on British Muslims. Our challenge is to ensure that those fears aren't exploited to turn communities against each other."

ABOUT KHURSHID AHMED

Khurshid is a CRE commissioner non-executive director of Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust. He was previously Assistant Chief Executive and Head of the Race Relations and Equal Opportunities Unit at Birmingham City Council. He has also served on the official enquiry into the Danall disturbances in Sheffield in 1995/6. He also chairs the National Association of British Pakistanis, the Dudley Race Equality Council and the Dudley Community (Strategic) Partnership. Khurshid is Chair of the Dudley North constituency Labour Party.

ABOUT THE CRE

The Race Relations Act 1976 makes it unlawful to discriminate against anyone on grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins. The Commission for Racial Equality was established under the Act to work for the elimination of discrimination, the promotion of equality of opportunity and good race relations generally.

The Commission can advise or assist people with cases before courts and employment tribunals and can conduct its own investigations when it has grounds to believe discrimination may be taking place.

Public bodies have a duty to eliminate discrimination in the way they work and to promote equality of opportunity and good race relations. The Commission is working to help them deliver this duty.

Click here to visit the Muslim Council of Britain website.
Click here to visit the CRE website.

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