“Terrorist organisations can kill and maim but they cannot alter our laws or deny us our civil liberties, only our own government can do that. Tony Blair says that he is concerned to ‘defend our way of life’ but his new raft of police powers takes away more practical freedom than any terrorist organisation has yet managed.”
Category Archives: UK
Hizb ut-Tahrir should be marginalised but not banned, says Sunny
“This is so annoying – last week I was condemning Hizb ut-Tahrir, now I’m forced to defend them with the government ban. Today’s announcement has exposed serious flaws in the way Labour deals with Muslim and non-Muslim groups. I am no fan of HT as it has always been clear on these pages, but there needs to be a sense of perspective and equal rights for everyone.”
Sunny Hundal at Asians in Media, 5 August 2005
‘Cleric who incites murder of gays must be banned from Britain’ – GALHA
Reacting to an Al Jazeera report that the Islamist cleric Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has called for the execution of the Crown Prince of Qatar because he is gay, the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) has called on Home Secretary Charles Clarke to permanently ban Al-Qaradawi from Britain.
A spokesperson for GALHA said: “If there was any doubt about Qaradawi’s fundamentalist credentials, this latest outburst will put it to rest. To call for the execution of Prince Tameem Bin Hamad Al-Thani simply because he is gay flies in the face of all international human rights conventions. It is not acceptable in a developed nation such as Britain to allow people who encourage the murder of innocents to be permitted free reign to do it. Gay people must be protected from this kind of lethal hate-speech. We have written to the Home Secretary asking him to impose a permanent banning order on Qaradawi. Britain could surely do without such people at a time when religious tensions are so high.”
GALHA news release, 2 August 2005
Unfortunately for GALHA, as Islamophobia Watch has already pointed out the quote isn’t from Qaradawi at all, but from another person entirely. See here.
Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain condemns Tony Blair’s announcement to ban the party
“Hizb ut-Tahrir has a record of over 50 years of following a method of non-violent political activity against imperialism and dictators and despots who rule the Muslim world with the West’s approval. In its work to establish the Islamic Caliphate, Hizb ut-Tahrir has never resorted to any sort of armed struggle and nor has it ever incited people to kill innocent civilians. It has throughout its history worked through intellectual and political means while its members have been tortured and killed in the thousands. Hizb ut-Tahrir has in explicit terms stated that Islam forbids the killing of innocent civilians and expressed its denunciation of the killing of 58 innocent individuals on 7th July 2005 in London.”
Blair extremism measures: reaction
Politicians, police, campaigners and community leaders give their responses to Tony Blair’s plans to deport foreign nationals who encourage terrorism and ban the Islamic organisations Hizb ut Tahrir and Al-Muhajiroun.
Freedom and civil liberties must not be forsaken – MAB
The Muslim Association of Britain expressed grave concern over the Prime Minister’s statements at the press conference earlier today, in which he outlined a number of radical measures and proposed extreme legislative changes.
There can be no doubt that during these difficult times we must all stand together to preserve our country’s unity, safety and prosperity, whilst at all times and at all costs, maintain what we take great pride in; our freedoms and liberties.
The suggestion of the Prime Minister that he may move to change the Human Rights Charter in order to allow for extra-ordinary measures to deport, ban and eradicate those who carry views other than “ours”, is worrying to say the very least.
Mr Blair in his statement used vague and loose language which may lead to ban legitimate freedom of speech and support for just causes. We agree with the Mayor of London in his statement today that if the Prime Ministers proposals were to be implemented 20 years ago they would have meant banning Nelson Mandela or anyone supporting him.
FOSIS opposes Blair’s crackdown
The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) is very concerned and casts doubt on the potential effectiveness of some of the measures announced by the Prime Minister today.
FOSIS President Wakkas Khan commented: “There’s no question that we, together with the Muslim community and the rest of British society believe that the safety of our country and the security of our people must receive utmost consideration. It is vital that we do not resort to quick-fix measures hoping only new laws and legislation will solve the problem at hand. Anti-terror measures need more consultation and consideration from all parts of society.
“The government’s measures must not infringe upon the rights and freedoms of its citizens. Proscribing groups that are understood to be non-violent is certainly a step in the wrong direction. Hizb-ut-Tahrir is clearly understood to be a non-violent organisation with strong and vocal opinions which Muslim community may agree or disagree with. This does not warrant a ban on this group as such actions will only be counterproductive.
“We are extremely worried by the Prime Minister’s effort to link asylum and immigration with the new anti-terror measures, which might only help racist elements in society.
“Mr. Blair needs to clarify whether he aims to silence the voices that support Palestinians’ struggle for freedom and other peoples’ struggles against brutality and occupation around the world.”
Race attacks show ‘low’ increase
Racist attacks in Scotland have risen by almost a quarter since the London bombings, according to police figures. There were 438 incidents reported from 7 July to the end of the month. That was up by 79 on last year, with 64 of those directly linked to the bombings. Senior officers said they were glad the increase was “relatively low” and that the figures showed people had adopted a mature attitude to the atrocities.
Anti-Muslim backlash goes on
A month after the London bombings, police forces across the country are reporting rising levels of racial incidents.
Daily Express condemns BBC’s pro-Muslim ‘bias’
Fury over BBC’s bias to Muslims; They pack TV terror debate with anti-British audience
By Martin Evans
Daily Express, 4 August 2005
BBC bosses faced a furious backlash last night after they were forced to admit that they packed a TV terror debate with Muslims.
Angry viewers complained that the programme was anti-British and failed to offer a balanced view on the danger posed by Islamic extremists.
They were incensed that the opinions and feelings of the victims of the London bombings, which claimed 52 innocent lives and left 700 injured, were not given enough airtime in BBC1’s Questions of Security.
Instead, the “news special”, which was watched by millions, was dominated by militant factions in the audience who were heavily critical of the police and security services.
BBC bosses admitted they deliberately set out to give Muslims a louder voice in the debate hosted by Huw Edwards.