EGN NEWS DESK
The Inter Faith Network (IFN) has rejected criticism in The Telegraph about its alleged silence on Hamas’ October 7 terror assault on Israel and hyperlinks to the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).
The newspaper reviews that Communities Secretary Michael Gove wrote to the charity saying he was “minded” to finish funding as a result of the MCB is one in all its members.
The authorities had till final 12 months banned official contact with the organisation after a deputy secretary normal signed the Istanbul Declaration calling for violence in opposition to Israel.
The IFN has since taken an “in-principle choice to maneuver in the direction of closure of the organisation”, with a closing choice to be confirmed on 22 February, until it receives £155,000 in authorities funding.
In an announcement the IFN defended its continued work with the MCB, saying that it “represents a major variety of Muslims within the UK, with whom IFN goals to advertise good inter religion relations”.
“It isn’t a proscribed physique and IFN isn’t conscious of any coverage or actions of MCB supporting terrorism,” it mentioned.
On its alleged “failure to sentence Hamas”, the IFN mentioned that Charity Commission pointers and its function as an inter-faith organisation meant that it “can’t make a easy assertion of that sort”.
“IFN has a longstanding coverage on the making of statements which precludes direct touch upon abroad occasions. Recent authorized recommendation has confirmed the appropriateness of the coverage,” it mentioned.
Madeleine Pennington, head of analysis on the Theos suppose tank, has been essential of the federal government’s choice and mentioned that the “misguided” choice to withdraw funding to the IFN “could not come at a worse time”.
“The horrific violence in Israel and Gaza has created a very troublesome interval for group relations within the UK. There was an increase in each Islamophobia and antisemitism throughout the nation within the closing months of 2023.
“Against this backdrop, alternatives to unite completely different religion communities in moments of shared anger and grief have offered beacons of solidarity and hope,” she mentioned.
