Muslim women learning English will help integration in Britain: Cameron

Some 190,000 Muslim women living in Britain -- 22 percent of the local Muslim population -- are unable to speak English, British Prime Minister David Cameron said Monday.

He announced the launch of a 30 million U.S. dollar English language tuition fund to help combat social isolation for Muslim women.

Cameron said Muslim women aiming to live permanently in Britain must become fluent in English to qualify for a British passport, adding the "passive tolerance" of separate communities must end to help Britain build a strong society.

Cameron said issues like gender segregation and discrimination and the isolation of some women in society could help lead to a slide towards radicalization and extremism.

He added: "With English language and women's empowerment as our next frontier, I believe we can bring Britain together and build the stronger society that is within reach."

A spokesman for 10 Downing Street said the new English language scheme will reach tens of thousands of the most isolated women and will be targeted to specific communities where segregation is seen as a problem.

The proposed language classes for Muslim women will take place in homes, schools and community facilities. New visa rules mean women coming to Britain on a spouse visa will have to become more fluent in English, with a new language test for those seeking a visa extension after two-and-a-half years in Britain. Endit