A row has broken out after Cambridge’s Muslim leaders claimed cash meant to prevent terrorism was wasted by city councillors.
The Muslim Council of Cambridgeshire (CMC) hit out after part of a grant to prevent terrorism was given to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).
Taxpayers bankrolled £138,000 of community activities to prevent the city’s young Muslims turning to terrorism.
The fund was allotted to the city because of fears that residents could be radicalised by fundamentalists.
Cambridge City Council received the cash as part of £20 million given to local authorities as part of the Prevent Strategy by the previous government.
It was issued “to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism” after the July 7 London bombings – but Muslim leaders claim the £15,000 given to CAB has been wasted.
Mirza Baig, vice-chairman of CMC, said: “We offered our help to the department for the establishment of such a service as we already have strong links in the young Muslim community but it was turned down and instead they decided to give funds to the Cambridge Citizen Advise Bureau (CAB).
“Please tell me honestly: do you really think that a young Muslim who is already thinking of committing a suicidal activity would go to the CAB for advice?”
But Cllr Tim Bick, executive councillor for community development, hit back, claiming the Muslim community was heavily involved in helping earmark the grant.
He said: “I’m utterly bemused by Mr Baig’s comments. The money was given to the city council to improve cohesion of the Muslim community within the city.
“It was not given as a handout for any particular organisation, but to secure positive outcomes for the community as a whole. It is right and proper that responsibility for it lay with the council.
“Mr Baig was heavily involved in discussing these funds and his contribution was very useful and very influential, even if that wasn’t in every detail.”
Cllr Bick added money was given to the CAB to ensure its advice on rights gets through to Muslim communities as well as encouraging more Muslim to its ranks as volunteers.
The council gave £20,000 to last year’s Asian Mela which was part of the Big Weekend.
The YMCA was given £6,000, £31,000 was given to encourage Muslim sport and £23,000 for a Bangladeshi community worker.
More than £83,000 was given out last year and the remaining £54,000 will be issued over the next year.