Child protection: Muslim leaders urge action on abuse in mosqueschools

The Muslim Parliament of Great Britain has called for a nationalregister of madrasas to be monitored by local authorities.

A new report by the parliament accuses the Muslim community of being "ina state of denial" over the fact that child abuse takes place inmosques, madrasas and families. It praises two councils that have takensteps on child protection in madrasas - Kirklees and Blackburn - butaccuses most of being reluctant to engage with the Muslim community.

"This reluctance to engage with faith communities in general and Muslimcommunities in particular has left a large portion of some 100,000children who attend madrasas, at any time, vulnerable. In our view thisis simply not acceptable," reads the report. "We would like to see anational registration scheme, co-ordinated centrally and monitored bylocal authorities, to ensure local safeguarding children boards providenecessary advice and support."