The fast-moving story of the attempted bombings in London and Glasgow has put the news machine in top gear. Simply covering such a complex narrative is challenge enough as it moves, literally, to the other side of the world. But BBC online has a clever feature which allows ‘ordinary’ Muslims a voice on events with a good range of opinions and reaction:

“I do not feel safe in this country. On the one hand I have to worry about terrorists’ attacks, and on the other hand I have to worry about having my house being raided on the guesswork of being a terrorist. “

There is never any justification for killing innocent human beings, yet myself and my husband suffer verbal abuse from ignorant people who wish to paint all Muslims with the same brush.”

This is a classic case of online journalism supporting mainstream news coverage. In the mainstream newspapers and TV it is two Muslims who were extremists but have now renounced violence who have dominated. Hassan Butt and Ed Husain are both highly articulate and intelligent speakers with direct experience and deep understanding of the nature of the threat. They are everywhere at the moment, but do they speak for Muslims? Who does? Is it the angry political Muslims of groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir , the main stream groups like the Muslim Council for Britain, or reformist voices like City Circle?
POLIS has a seminar this week looking at who does speak for Muslims in the media – contact us if you wish to attend at polis@lse.ac.uk