BBC News Monday, 7 August 2006, 14:51 GMT 15:51 UK

Police chief urges Muslim inquiry

Mr Ghaffur spoke at the National Black Police Association conference

The UK's highest-ranking Asian police officer has called for an independent judicial inquiry into radicalisation of young Muslims after the 7 July bombs.

Met Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur said Islamophobia made some Muslims vulnerable to extremism.

Tighter anti-terror laws had indirectly discriminated against Muslims, he told the National Black Police Association.

The Home Office said the legislation was not discriminatory and partnership with the Muslim community was vital.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5251346.stm

If Muslims perceive that they are being discriminated against and are being radicalised as a result by the terrorism laws, I wonder what my Muslim neighbours think about the totally invasive surveillance technology used against me, an innocent, honest, decent person, as a weapon by the criminals supported by the government?

If such an abusive activity can be carried out at will against someone like me 24/7 for eight years, how much more vulnerable do Muslims feel, and how much more radicalisation will take place as a result of this extreme abuse of power?

The smear and fear campaign being carried out against me could very well backfire by creating a fear of the government and those using the surveillance technology supported as vigilantes so that the radicalisation will take on the character that indiscriminate bombing of innocent people is no different from the indiscriminate destruction of an innocent person's life by the government.