Charles Farr talks security and terrorism

Director-General of Security and Counter-Terrorism Charles Farr visited a Somali community centre in Tottenham to talk about the public safety of Britain.

According to Farr, who was appointed Director General for Security and Counter-Terrorism by the Home Office in 2007: “Our job is to ensure your safety, by reducing the threat of terrorism”.

Joined by his colleague, Sabin Khan, who is a community advisor, specialising in Muslim communities, Mr. Farr engaged with a Somali audience explaining  his responsibilities with the Home Office.

“I am responsible for advising the Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, on the security of our country”,  he said.

The Home Office and Interior Ministry deal with a number of issues in ensuring the stability of Britain. “We sort out visas, immigration, crime, policing, and counter terrorism” explained Farr.

Kadija Hamdun Said, one of the organisers of the event, expressed her concerns with policing matters.

She said: “By law, the police can stop and search anyone. Somalis see this procedure as a negative. They get offended when they are stopped and searched by police. We have to acknowledge that there is a law in this country and this is not our country so we have to respect the law. The issue is to comply instead of being arrested.”

Organiser Kadija Hamdun Said and journalist Ridwaan Haji. Image: Mohamed Ali

Farr and his colleague Khan, explained what needs to be done about terrorism, while not targeting Muslim people.

“Counter-terrorism is empowering Muslim women and youth.We want to prevent people from being dragged into terrorism. You can help us prevent this. Not by contacting authorities, but by challenging their views and dissuading them”, Farr said.

Animosity towards Muslims reached at all time high after terrorist attacks in London and across the world.  However Farr defends the religion by saying: “There is nothing Islamic about terrorism, so we should not call it war on terror, or Islamic terrorism. I do sympathise with you highly.”

Khan, who also works with  the Home Office stated: “I am the open door for Muslim people to access the Home Office.”

Muslims in Britain have been wrongly portrayed in the media after 9/11, Khan explained. “The media questions our identity and our allegiances, but we must stand up against them.”

“This government and any future government should enable you to live the kind of life you want, and to improve security and our way of life. This is fundamental in democracy” said Farr.

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