Minister accused British Muslims of inbreeding

'Inbred' Muslim Claim Fury
Feb 11 2008

A NEW Islamic row broke out last night after a minister accused British Muslims of inbreeding.

Environment Minister Phil Woolas said there was a problem with Muslims having children with cousins through arranged marriages.

In the wake of the Sharia law row caused by Archbishop Rowan Williams, the remarks caused fury amongst some Islamic groups.

But Woolas was backed by medics and Labour MPs who said it was a real issue.

Woolas, who has a large number of Muslims in his Oldham constituency, said: "If you talk to any primary care worker, they will tell you that levels of disability among the Pakistani population are higher than the general population.

"And everybody knows it's caused by first cousin marriage."

[link to www.dailyrecord.co.uk]

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