Britain’s policy of multiculturalism and embracing difference is being blamed for worsening the political alienation of Muslim youth in that country.

"Three quarters of the most serious terrorist plots investigated by UK authorities are linked to al-Qaida sympathizers in Pakistan," Brown said after meeting Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari shortly after last November's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, which were carried out by a Pakistan-based terrorist group.

Brown's remark highlighted his government's ongoing frustration over Britain's position as Europe's top host of Islamic radicals.

British intelligence services estimated in 2007 that 2,000 potentially violent Islamic extremists reside in Britain, up from 1,600 in 2006.

The government and some Muslim groups are trying to counter the threat of extremism in two primary ways: tougher law enforcement and the implementation of an unprecedented number of " de-radicalization" programs. It will be years, if not decades, before their success can be measured with any accuracy.

In the meantime, Britain has its work cut out. A 2008 survey by the market research agency YouGov found that 32 percent of British Muslim university students believe killing is justifiable either "to preserve and promote" religion or "if that religion was under attack."

Another survey of British Muslims, by Populus in 2007, found that 13% of Muslims aged 16 to 24 "admire organizations like al-Qaida that are prepared to fight the West."

The survey also found that 37% of Muslims in that age group said they would prefer to live under Islamic law rather than British law (...)