Blair denounces “evil ideology” behind attacks
Tony Blair has called for a battle of ideas to defeat the “evil ideology” behind the London bombings, which killed at least 55 people.
The Prime Minister said Britain must join with its Muslim community to confront extremists and the distortion of Islam far removed from the “essential decency and truth” of the religion.
“It is not a clash of civilisations. All civilised people, Muslim or other, feel revulsion at it. But it is a global struggle. It is a battle of ideas and hearts and minds, both within Islam and outside it,” Mr Blair told the Labour Party’s national policy forum in London.
“This is the battle that must be won. A battle not just about terrorists’ methods but their views. Not just their barbaric acts but their barbaric ideas. Not only what they do but what they think, and the thinking that they would impose on others,” he added.
The Prime Minister rejected the “almost devilish logic” behind the claims of Islamic militants that they are acting in the cause of the Palestinian, Afghan or Iraqi people.
Mr Blair said: “We should lay bare the almost devilish logic behind such manipulation.”
“Why, if it is the cause of Muslims that concerns them, do they kill so many with such callous indifference?”
He stressed that it would be a “misunderstanding of a catastrophic order” to think that changing policy would change the terrorists’ behaviour and insisted that “fanaticism” had to be challenged head-on.
“In the end, it is by the power of argument, debate, true religious faith and true legitimate politics that we will defeat this threat,” said Mr Blair.
The Prime Minister’s comments came after police confirmed on Saturday that the death toll following the July 7 attacks on London’s transport network has reached 55.
Tony Blair calls for battle of ideas to defeat “evil ideology” behind London bombings
