The Times today investigates the funding behind the disgraced Quilliam Foundation outfit. The Times uncovers facts which serve to confirm that the QF is little more than a Home Office-Foreign Office stooge created to do the government’s bidding.

The Times reveals that:

‘The [Quilliam] foundation has received £660,000 from the Home Office and £140,000 from the Foreign Office. The Home Office has earmarked an additional £100,000 for 2009-10.'

And that ‘sources close to the foundation said that it was expecting another £660,000 from the Foreign Office over this and next year. A Foreign Office spokesman said that any future payments depended on the foundation making “satisfactory progress”.'

One can only wonder what benchmark ‘satisfactory progress’ is measured against when ministers are quoted as themselves recognising that the QF has no credibility in the very community it is supposed to be working with.

Among the recommendations listed in QF’s launch document of April 2008 to combat violent extremism was this gem:

'Encourag[ing] students and imams to wear clothes that ensure belonging to mainstream society, and not Pakistani ethnic attire designed for a different climate.'

Taxpayers will no doubt be pleased that their hard earned cash is being spent on altering Muslims’ fashion sense.

The Times quotes a minister as saying:

‘Ed and Quilliam have very little support in the mainstream Muslim community.’

'They have much more enemies than friends. But he’s loved by some ministers, which is why his organisation is having so much money thrown at it. And the Government knows that if you want a Muslim to say pro-government things, then Quilliam is the answer.'
 

***ENGAGE obtains internal Quilliam memo to Advisors***

This morning at 10.32am, the QF sent an urgent memo to its Board of Advisors (who include the notorious neo-con Michael Gove). As it happens, ENGAGE has been sent a copy of this memo by a QF Advisor who is appalled at how the QF has been allowing itself to be used by the government and neo-conservative thinktanks to demonise mainstream Muslim organisations. Reading between the lines of the memo, the QF make clear that they will not be responding to the serious allegations in the Times. This will be interpreted by many as an admission that the facts in the Times story are broadly accurate.

If you would like to contact us and provide additional information about the Quilliam Foundation, you can do so in confidence via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

See also Islamophobia Watch, 'Government gives £1m to Ed Husain'.

Comments

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Anonymous   |2009-01-20 15:19:17 What a pair of crooks! And all at the taxpayers expense.

usman   |2009-01-20 19:44:41 Sack the Quillam Foundation and give me the job (I'll do it for half the money!!!) Seriously though - If they got volunteers to do the job, they would be more sincere and committed (and much, much cheaper)

Anonymous  - These two Mir Jafar's will be cursed   |2009-01-20 23:03:33 Both Ed and Maajid seem to be on a path destined to see them reviled in the same way that Mir Jafar was. Mir Jafar was the traitor who helped the British colonise India in return for money.

Karim   |2009-01-21 00:49:14 Where is their sense of honour? There is so much positive work to pbe done in our communities, dawah, education, welfare, civic engagement etc and these people let alone assisting in this, won't even let the brothers and sisters who are trying, to just get on with it. We live in the constant fear of being branded 'Isamists', whatever that means. I hope they repent and return to the fold before its to late, who would want to die in such a state of potent Munafiqah? Allah (swt) knows best

Shafiq  - Hilarious   |2009-01-21 21:17:05 Who are these two nut cases? If the government really wants to tackle extremism, talk to REAL Muslims, not these two traitors. And the goal of encouraging us to wear western clothing - Ridiculous, I wear what I want to wear and what I feel is suitable at the time. Who are they to decide?

A Qureshi  - Addressing our grievances   |2009-01-21 22:28:57 Dear all I agree that this group is undermining any sincere Efforts at interfaith dialogue in favour of Sensationalism and misrepresentation. I think there is more likely to be harm than any good From their continued activities - as well as a Significant drain on the government budget in These troubled economic times I would be grateful if the details of the appropriate governing Body could be known so that we can address our grievances In a meaningful way

Ali Abdullah   |2009-01-24 04:45:00 There is no doubt in my mind that QF is just a unit in the Civil Service - jointly run by the Home Office and Foreign Office - and "Ed" and Maajid are actually government employees!

IbnMuhammad   |2009-01-24 22:29:14 If the Quilliam Foundation is advocating liberal democratic values to the British Muslim community, then why are they discouraging them from wearing "Pakistani ethnic attire"! Or is there an agenda to put Trinny and Susannah out of business?

Anonymous   |2009-02-14 15:07:51 We should always note that the enemies of Islam throughout history tried to break the and decapitate Islamic movements as well as the Islamic society using defects and traitors, by bringing them on their side by various means. therefore we shouldn't be surprised when QF traitors and merceneries are used against us...history has shown that they were always disgraced often by their employees

Anonymous   |2009-08-26 06:21:34 I find the sentiments behind these comments sad, paranoid and very revealing. They suggest that Muslims feel estranged from mainstream British society and divided amongst themselves. Inter-faith dialogue is obviously important, but perhaps shuld be preceded by intra-faith dialogue? These two appear to have been on a relevant personal journey, struggling with the issues that face many young British Muslims trying to find a way of reconciling being British with being Muslim in a secular society. They are now dedicating themselves to trying to make things better for Muslims in Britain and are being branded traitors in return. What is wrong with working with your own government in order to try and promote integration and understanding? We have surely all had enough war and hate rhetoric. I wonder whether those who have chosen to comment are actually familiar with the work of the QF?

Leni  - mashAllah Quilliam   |2011-02-15 00:04:10 Yes please read all their work for a full understanding. The last comment here was the most useful...they are educated and their views treat all people with equality and give each the communication available to help all communities. I hope they keep up their good work and that their foundation brings closer the unity of Islam and people who are not Muslims. This is the way forward and the way of our beloved Prophet (pbuh). Peace is our first responsibility over anything else and remember that everytime you throw your hands up to pray, that is a new beginning and a time of forgiveness.

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