(I have just posted a further piece on this topic here: Muslims are very decent people too)
There are growing numbers of Muslim groups and individuals are denouncing the plans by extremist Anjem Choudary. Its a shame that its not getting the press it deserves, and I want to do my small part to get their voice out. Some would say they are too late, but to be fair the country only got back from the new year holiday yesterday, and it was only late yesterday pm that there was a response from Gordon Brown. Any representative group needs to sound out its own constituency which takes time.
(This is the third in a series of posts on Anjem Choudary's plans for a procession in Wootton Basset Wiltshire to commemeorate Muslims who have died in Afghanistan; and also the trial of seven of Choudary's followers in Luton for their disruption of the Royal Anglian homecoming parade: see An outpouring of anger at Anjem Choudary is not the answer. and Extremist Muslims, anti-war rhetoric, foul language and free speech. )
The Wiltshire Islamic Cultural Centre put out a press release on Sunday totally condemning the proposed march.
Wiltshire Islamic Cultural Centre has learned today that Islam4UK, a group affiliated with the extremist group Al-Muhajiroon is planning a march in the market town of Wootton Bassett, because of the part it plays in the repatriation of Britain’s fallen service personnel.
We, along with all other Muslim community groups in Wiltshire and the surrounding area, including Bath Islamic Society and Swindon Thamesdown Islamic Association, unreservedly condemn this march and call on the organisers, Islam4UK to not go ahead with it in the interests of public safety and the Muslims they claim to represent as well as to respect the rights of the people of Wootton Bassett and Wiltshire.
We will hold Anjem Choudary and Al-Muhajiroon responsible for any backlash against any Muslim in Wiltshire or elsewhere as a result of their proposed irresponsible and irrational actions and any insecurity brought upon the majority peaceful Muslim population.
The media will no doubt grossly over-react, as usual to such a protest, whether it is peaceful or otherwise, giving the impression that all Muslims follow this tiny minority of extremists.
Therefore we are putting the record straight and letting the media and general public know that the vast majority of Muslims have nothing to do with this group who are upon the methodology of the deviant sect known as the Khawaarij. The Khawaarij were historically the first sect to bring insecurity upon the Muslims, right after the time of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) and even killed some of the close companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him).
We strongly request Wiltshire Police to ban the proposed march in the interests of public order, public safety and community cohesion.
Their prediction that the media would over-react and fail to draw distinction from the vast majority of Muslims in the UK has to a large extent been true. Perhaps more than the majority of us, the Muslims in the UK have become used to Choudary and his followers, and a number of others, making a lot of noise, and try to ignore it. Sadly once the media get a hold of the story the lack of a Muslim voice tends to send out its own message , wrong though it may be.
The Sun have now picked up on that denunciation (Muslims slam Choudary march ) though maybe predictably don't comment on the idea that they may have been over-reacting, but rather lead with a large picture of Choudary by the Palace of Westminster, and go on to talk more about his message of hate.
Interestingly the Islamic Centre in Luton that acted to remove the Choudary's followers in Luton have offered their support for the Wiltshire Islamic Cultural Centre, offering to join them on a counter demo.
More widely the Muslim Council of Britain made a statement on Monday. Proposed Wootton Bassett Protest: A publicity Stunt that Deserves Disdain. Its past the page break with more. So too is a statement from British Muslims for Secular Democracy, and a couple of links to pieces by their people in the press today.
The Muslim Council of Britain echoes the sentiments expressed by Allison Bucknell, Mayoress of Wooton Bassett, and condemns the call by the fringe extremist group Islam4UK for their proposed march in Wootton Bassett. This group thrives on controversy and we will do well to ensure we do not grant them the oxygen of publicity they crave.
The overwhelming majority of British Muslims want nothing to do with such extremists. Like other Britons, Muslims are not opposed to Britain’s Armed Forces. Indeed, Muslims have made a deep and historic contribution to this nation’s defence, with over 2.5 million serving in the First and Second World Wars. The deaths of those in Afghanistan and other areas of conflicts are not only a concern amongst Muslims, it is shared by other British people, who do not resort to such sensationalist and divisive stunts.
The MCB respects the value of free speech in Britain and echoes the sentiments of many of its affiliates to disregard such provocations. We commend the Wiltshire Islamic Cultural Centre and others for issuing a clear message that this protest is not acceptable and has no support at all by the local Muslim community.
Their statement does also note that just before Remembrance Sunday 2009, the Muslim Council of Britain published Remembering the Brave: The Muslim contribution to Britain’s Armed Forces. It can be downloaded here:Remembering the Brave. Things like this are significant steps and we need to recognise that.
British Muslims for Secular Democracy have a statement here: British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) is alarmed and disappointed to learn that the extremist group Al Muhajiroun, in the guise of "Islam4UK," are planning to hold a procession through the streets of Wootton Bassett.
They have a couple fo pieces in the Daily Mail and the Mirror:
As a British Muslim I'm appalled by this callous attempt to insult our brave troops by Imran Ahmad of British Muslims for Secular DemocracyAs a British Muslim myself, I am appalled by his tactics. Appalled, but not surprised. For this is a man whose ideology is as poisonous as it is illogical.
.... Indeed, I am awed by the way that this nation has remained so calm in the face of Islamic fanaticism. It is proof of its maturity and civilisation.
But this has served only to enrage followers of Choudary's 'Islam4UK' organisation, which slowly and deliberately seeks to divide British society along religious lines, hoping that Britons will adopt a hatred of Muslims similar to the one Hitler's Germany had towards Jews in the Thirties. (Witness the way Choudary yesterday deliberately compared British soldiers to Nazis).
After looking at what is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan he draws a comparison with events in Luton last March that I made a couple of days ago:Fanatics like his followers don't like the idea of peaceful coexistence. They want open conflict. To that end, they have hijacked Britain's tradition of free speech (which they themselves don't believe in) to further their own medieval ends.
Britain does not hate Muslims, but these people are trying to make it happen by spreading lies about a supposed 'war on Islam' by Britain and America.
A recent parade of homecoming soldiers in Luton was hijacked by Choudary's followers shouting 'Criminals, murderers, terrorists, butchers of Basra', provoking a near-riot with the local community.
Now Choudary is seeking to repeat that same conflict on a far greater scale on the streets of Wootton Bassett. It remains to be seen if he is just a selfpromoting loudmouth or genuinely intends to press ahead with his protest. But if so, he must not be allowed to succeed.
There is a time and a place for legitimate opposition to Britain's involvement in Afghanistan or elsewhere. It should be expressed through the democratic process by lobbying politicians; not by jeering at our returning service personnel or insulting their grieving families.
There is also 'A publicity stunt..with no support' by Tehmina Kahzi, also writing for British Muslim for Secular Democracy
(I have just posted a further piece on this topic here: Muslims are very decent people too)
New site about Royal Wootton Bassett.
Has some great storys and pics
Posted by: Roger | November 10, 2011 at 02:22 PM