It has been suggested that Abdullah Quilliam was an Islamist. Are you naming your think tank in the memory of an Islamist?
Islamism emerged with Hasan al-Banna's Muslim Brotherhood in the 1920s. Further developed by al-Mawdudi and Qutb it was crystallised by al-Nabhani in the 1950s. Abdullah Quilliam, a politically active British Muslim, lived in the nineteenth century during a time of empires and colonial conflict. He was not an advocate of Islamist supremacism.  He did not claim that Islam was a political ideology, nor did he share the methodology of Islamists. To suggest that he did is not only anachronistic and disingenuous, but also a failure to understand the tenets, history, and politics of Islamism.

It has been said you have no grassroots support - how do you respond?
We are a think tank, we do not aspire to being a representative body and do not actively seek mass support. Our aspiration is to inspire new thought-trends for existing grassroots bodies.

Despite this, our activities have been supported bravely by mainstream Muslim institutions and scholars, despite extremist intimidation.  And in coming months, greater co-operation with normal Muslims at grassroots level will become apparent. The vast amount of supportive correspondence we receive bears out this fact.

Why have you abandoned Palestine?
We have not. Repeatedly, in private and public meetings at the highest level (nationally and internationally) we have highlighted the Arab-Israeli conflict and the need to help both sides come to an agreement.

Hamas has a duty to halt politicking with the lives of ordinary Palestinians, and Israel must limit their military. Criticising the targeting of non-combatants, on either side, does not equate to siding with one party or the other. Muslims should and do care about other conflicts and issues in the world, including Burma, Darfur, climate change, poverty, and gender inequality.

Ed Husain, one of your co-founders, is a neocon. What do you say?
Ed in his speeches (e.g RSA lecture, 1 May 2008) has spoken out against neoconservative supremacist tendencies and called for Muslim contributions to Western history to be recognised. He does not believe in the supremacy of the West (or the East for that matter) and has argued for the best aspects of all cultures to be preserved. That flies in the face of neoconservative tendencies that assume Western superiority over other cultures.

Finally, our director, Maajid Nawaz, has responded directly to those whose last refuge is crying 'neocon' when all else has failed:

Why do you engage in Muslim-bashing?
We do not. The focus of our criticism is Islamists not normal Muslims. Islamists, by merging religion and politics, cannot see this distinction. We believe in standing for justice, even if against our own selves (Koran 4:135). Globally, Muslims are in a deep socio-political malaise that warrants public analysis. Having said this however, as citizens we are also keenly self-critical of our own country's policy errors. Open debate and discussion should not scare anyone. Our noble Prophet counselled us to, 'speak the truth, even if it is bitter'.

Why is Conservative MP Michael Gove one of your advisors?
Michael has defended Islam and Muslims at places that are beyond the remit for most British Muslims. He is a vociferous critic of Islamism, not Islam. Our other advisors include Lord Paddy Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrats. We also have several Labour party associates, as well as Muslim and non-Muslim scholars from various denominations.

The Quilliam Foundation is politically non-aligned and we are therefore proud of all our advisors.

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