OTTAWA – There is new trouble for the RCMP over a manual that tries to wash out terms like « Islamist » and « jihad » from officers’ mouths when they talk about terrorism.
« Distorted and inflammatory linkages between Islam and terrorism can serve to convince Muslims — both in the West and in the larger Islamic world — that the West is, in fact, their enemy, » the manual says.
That doesn’t impress anti-terror expert David Harris, of Insignis Strategic Research.
« This is, if I may be blunt, an Islamist’s wet dream, » Harris said. « It misstates fundamentally the established history, and undermines warnings of many moderate Muslims about jihad and its possibilities. »
The manual, called Words Make Worlds, dates back to 2009 and also tells Mounties not to fear organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood, despite its terrorist links.
American anti-terror expert Brian Michael Jenkins says cultural sensitivity is often appropriate, but the RAND Corp. advisor adds that terms the RCMP dislikes are needed to analyze security threats.
« The term ‘jihad’ is on the banner of al-Qaida, » says Jenkins. « If they use it, I can use it. »
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has openly called « Islamicism » a threat to Canada, while Public Safety Canada’s counter-terrorism strategy refers to « Islamist extremism. »
Still, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said he doesn’t consider the RCMP’s soft language on terror a concession to Islam.
« I think it’s a matter of moving sensitively in what is an area where we need the co-operation of these groups, » he said in Winnipeg.
The RCMP had no one available for comment.
Digg
del.icio.us
Facebook
Yahoo! Buzz
Twitter
Google Bookmarks
Google Buzz