The politically instigated and media promoted hysteria has arrived in town.

Bangor Street Community Centre, Blackburn was denied as a venue to a group looking to educate the community about the CTS (Counter Terrorism & Security) Act.

So much for the British value of free speech. Is it any surprise people are sceptical of the Government as it attempts to enshrine 'so called British values in law', given this double standards.

Officials turned up at the venue to ensure the event did not go ahead, and were keen to prevent the event taking place at an alternative venue. As it happens, the event took at an alternative private venue.

Cage spokesman Cerie Bullivant was joined by Jahangir Mohammad, a CTS specialist.

The event was organised to highlight the main points of the Act, and their potential impact on the Muslim community. The crime?

Obviously advising the community about their rights in light of this venomous legislation was deemed a threat of some sort.

Cage has been villified by the government and the media for highlighting the circumstances surrounding the radicalisation of the individual known in the mainstream media as Jihadi John.

Describing the individual as once having been a ‘beautiful young man’, Cage has been attacked because they questioned how it was such an individual could have become the figure is he today, suggesting UK security services harassment as a possible factor.

The government narrative is that this harassment played no part, and he was influenced by an evil and extreme Islamic ideology.

Jahangir Mohammad proceeded to outline some of the main measures of the CTS Act which will affect the Muslim community.

With this legislation, the government is essentially curtailing free speech to silence any narrative apart from its own.

So questioning UK foreign policy, Britain’s role in illegal torture and rendition, debating free speech, democracy or equality is now seen as extremist propaganda and proof of radicalisation.

Underpinning the legislation is the discredited conveyor-belt theory which supposes that non-violent forms of extremism, such as the questioning of ‘British values’, or an increase in religiosity (such as growing a beard, veiling, or becoming devout in prayer), having sympathy for Palestinians, questioning the legitimacy of Israel as examples, will lead to a path of violent extremism, such as carrying out terrorist attacks or travelling abroad to conflict zones for the purposes of aid or jihad.

Holding a certain viewpoint can be deemed an offence under the legislation. Effectively, Islamic concepts are being outlawed, and Muslims are being criminalised.

Under the Act, teachers are required to report ‘odd signs’ which may be early signs of radicalisation in youngsters as young as three. So parents watch out, don’t let your toddlers grow beards.

Children who express sympathy towards Palestine, or who have an interest in politic events abroad may be on the conveyer belt.

So parents don’t let them watch the news on TV. Normative views like gender segregation, a homosexual act being sinful, shariah as a basis for actions, khilafah as a political system are all considered extremist and are prosecutable under the CTS Act.

Airlines will be issued with no fly lists, which would restrict certain individuals from travelling on their flights. Any individual can be stopped from travelling without being provided any reason for the restriction. Passports can be confiscated for up to two years.

This could impact legitimate aid workers travelling to certain areas. Jahangir has been lecturing on various legislations for many years now.

From the days of PVE (Prevent Violent Extremism) to Prevent and now to the CTS Act. He is afraid that as a Muslim community, we are poorly informed when it comes to understanding the legislation and the potential impact on the community.

This is in no small part down to our masjids, where debate and discussion on these vital matters is shunned and therefore nonexistent.

Large parts of our community have been scared into silence, adopting a strategy of saying nothing, assuming this will keep them safe from legislation. We have few leaders who can articulate the details of the legislation.

Given the wide reach of the legislation, we face the risk of falling foul due to our ignorance. In that sense, our community leaders are failing us.

Rather than bury our heads in the sand, we need to educate ourselves, and not be fearful of the consequences of speaking the truth.

I don’t doubt this article could be deemed to be a sign I am radicalised.

For me however, the most excellent jihad is the word of truth in face of an unjust ruler. Now that would be a British value worth upholding.