Sara Khan directs the Commission to extremism in the British Ministry of the interior. In an interview with DW, she explains how she wants to be extremely combat extremism – and why she herself is a target of extremists.
In January 2018, it has been appointed by the Prime Minister Theresa May to head the Commission on extremism in the interior Ministry. How do you want to fight extremism in the UK?
Extremism is a social Problem, therefore it requires a societal solution. All play a role in the schools, the government, civil society, religious leaders. We have not found this answer to whole-of-society level, and that is what we are working on. This Commission is new, so we want to start the awareness.
What are the specific goals?
First, go out and reach out to people. I was in around 30 towns and villages in England and Wales. I have spoken with Thousands of academics, civil society groups and government representatives, to understand the challenge better.
“Tactics of the extremists by lights”
The second goal is a study. We have as yet no wide-ranging study, which draws us to the overall picture of the problem. We ask for the public perception, want to be the tactics of the extremists and the damage they can cause. For this, we have also set up a consultation. Very important are the possible answers. We want to make recommendations and create a program.
What are the challenges the UK is when it comes to extremism?
There are many different types of extremism in the UK. But some of them are prominent and pose a greater risk than others. We now see a sharp rise in right-wing extremism, in the last two years. Islamist extremism is also a big issue. Alone, 2018, we had five terrorist attacks, four of which were motivated by Islamist, right-wing extremism. But there are also left-extremism, extremist groups in the Sikh Community, or the Jewish groups.
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To think extremism would be the only Islamist, is fundamentally wrong. Extremism can stem from any political ideology or Religion, and each group can take on the world. There is a rise in all kinds of extremism, whether the neo-Nazis in Germany, the Hindu nationalists in India or the Muslim fundamentalists.
What all of these extremists because have in common?
Many of the extremist ideologies of a “We” against “the Other”-Thinking. It is stirring up hatred against other groups, and racism is widespread. Extremists do not believe in universal human rights. They attack people because they are supposedly different. Extremists don’t like diversity in society. Therefore, we must defend these values, human rights and the equality of all people and pluralism.
What role do women play in this struggle?
To make women strong, has consequences for the whole country. Women are the strongest fighters are mostly against extremism, because you can see the impact of extremist ideas in their own family. I come across women who are very brave.
“Children from ideologies to protect”
We have had special programs for Muslim women in which we mediated, for example, a theological counter-arguments. The participation of women has an impact on the whole of society. 2015, after the ISIS declared the Caliphate, we have carried out Anti-IS campaign. However, women and mothers played an important role. We have given you the tools, how to get your children in front of these ideologies can protect. If you run an Imam on the way, the hate preaching, you must not ignore the simple, but need to do something about it.
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850 Britons have joined the IS, about half returned. Why radical young people in the UK to authorize?
There are many reasons that can be individual or social. But it’s mostly ideologies, extremist Propaganda, identity and belonging. Also if you know maybe simply no counter-arguments, which plays a role. Social media are also crucial. Since it is in the UK, no different than anywhere else. There is a lack of respect for others, and very much split at the moment. To engage In dialogue, to listen to other opinions and points of view, can cause a lot of Positive.
What do you think, how the future looks? This rise of the extremists back soon?
We live in a time of extremism. If we look at the world situation, it is very alarming and grim. I don’t think it will be better soon. We must do everything to extremism to stop.
“The work is too important not to be made”
States must ensure equality, diversity and human rights for all its citizens. These values are crucial, because they are threatened by extremists.
They themselves were a target of extremists?
This is a part of my work, you get used to it with time. However, this happens not only because the extremists want us to do what we do. For us this means that we must continue to make. You must displace. This work is simply too important not to be made. It has an impact on all of us.
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Sara Khan, co-founded in 2008, a women’s organization called “Inspire”, in order to prevent extremism and to create gender justice. With Videos, the NGO, for example, the IS-Propaganda tried to refute and reached thousands of clicks. Especially Khan is trying to reach out to young women and mothers and to raise awareness. The Pakistani-born Brit is the author of a book about Muslim identity and extremism.
The interview was conducted by Nermin Ismail.