Extremist Islamist books given out in prison despite warnings

Violent Islamist books that preach antisemitism and hatred towards all non-Muslims were distributed by imams in British prisons, despite authorities knowing about their existence, according to the Times

At least 1,000 Muslim prison inmates in Britain are considered to be at risk of radicalisation. Pixabay

One book says jihad, a form of holy war, is an obligation for every Muslim. Another blames Jews for "materialism, animal sexuality, the destruction of the family and the dissolution of society".

And a third describes the "sexual deviation known as homosexuality" and says: "The spread of this depraved practice in a society disrupts its natural life pattern and makes those who practise it slaves to their lusts, depriving them of decent taste, decent morals and a decent manner of living."

Last month instructions "regarding the removal of extremist literature" were given by the National Offender Management Service and prison governors were given a list of five books to remove "from all prisons with immediate effect".

But this order was given seven months after the issue was first raised by an inspection team last year, according to the Times. The investigation found that at least one of these books was in chaplaincy rooms in nine prisons inspected, including a number of high-security establishments.

The number of Muslim inmates in British prisons is at 12,328, with at least 1,000 thought to be at risk from radicalisation. At the start of the year there were 131 convicted terrorists.

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