New directives for UK mosques to combat extremism

London, Nov 29 (UNI) A coalition of four Muslim organisations has issued first set of guidelines in an attempt to fight extremism and introduce a level of self regulation in UK mosques.

The draft of a 10-point ''code of practice'' was released yesterday by an independent body MINAB (Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board), which was set up last year to open up and modernise Britain's 1,600-plus mosques.

Many of the provisions are aimed at encouraging women to become more involved in their local mosques and stopping young people from being drawn towards radical organisations, The Independent reported.

Imams are urged to condemn forced marriages and domestic violence and allow women to have greater access to religious training in mosques. Women have long complained that they are not allowed to attend mosques.

The directives would also try to encourage greater transparency in ways of fund raising and increase the skills and competence of the country's 2,000-plus imams.

UNI