BIRMINGHAM: In a move seen by most British Muslims as a positive step toward ending child brides and young girls being “groomed” for sex, the Muslim Council of Britain said it would work towards helping to end such practices in the country. Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra of the council said people were sometimes reluctant to speak out – but they have a “religious duty” to do so. For Jihan al-Tonsi the announcement is a welcome one and she told Bikyanews.com that she hopes it will lead to a better relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims in the country. “For far too long we have all struggled to find our identity and make sense of the tension that exists between Muslims and others in the UK,” she began. “And this is a major part of the stereotypes that have been publicly seen about Muslims and it's time we change them for the better.” She hopes the future will be better for Muslim girls and women living in the UK. Mogra said the council was working with groups including the NSPCC, police and Muslim organizations to educate people. The action comes after high-profile sex abuse cases involving Muslim men in Rochdale and Derby. “This is an appalling and abhorrent kind of behavior which is totally unacceptable regardless of race or religion,” said Sheikh Mogra, the MCB's Assistant Secretary General, on BBC Radio 4′s Sunday program. “Some of those perpetrators who have recently been convicted happen to be from the Muslim community so we need to be at the very front of the voice that is condemning this.” For Tonsi, ending child brides and other women's rights related issues will be key to earning more support from the non-Muslim community in the UK. “This is a great first step towards becoming fully accepted as British. I think many people still view us as outsiders even as we are open and part of society. These things must end.” BN
