Posted on 08/16/2005 7:40:20 AM PDT by Pikamax
Muslim groups warn of radical backlash Read the joint statement in full
Matthew Tempest and agencies Tuesday August 16, 2005
Guardian Unlimited
A coalition of Muslim leaders today warned that closing mosques deemed extremist and banning radical Islamic groups could fuel a radical sub-culture in Britain. Nearly 40 signatories, including the Islamic Human Rights Commission and the Muslim Association of Britain, said new measures outlined by the prime minister could lead to Islamic values being "demonised".
The leaders jointly issued a six-point statement in response to the government's response to last month's London bombings.
It said: "We fear that recent events are being exploited by some sections in society to demonise legitimate Islamic values and beliefs and hence consider it appropriate to make the following observations."
The statement criticised the use of the term extremism, which it said had no tangible legal meaning and was unhelpful.
The joint statement argued that the right of people to resist invasion and occupation was legitimate and said that questioning the legitimacy of Israeli occupation was also valid political expression.
The leaders also criticised the decision to ban the group Hizb ur-Tahrir, which is outlawed in Germany, and which Mr Blair specifically stated he intended to proscribe.
A proposal to ban the group was described as "unwarranted, unjust and unwise" and any disagreement with a political organisation should be expressed through debate, not censorship, the leaders wrote.
The statement, co-signed by Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, read: "If it is suggested that any laws have been broken by any individuals or groups then this must be proven by due legal process.
"Criminalising the mere possession of certain opinions is the hallmark of dictatorships, not democracies."
The closure of mosques accused of "fomenting extremism" would amount to a collective punishment of the community, the statement warned.
It may "create fear" which could lead to "the very radical sub-culture which we all seek to prevent".
Finally, the Muslim leaders said plans to deport foreign nationals to countries known for human rights abuses was "abhorrent".
Earlier this month Mr Blair vowed to throw out fanatical preachers as he announced wide-ranging powers to combat Muslim extremists.
He warned: "Let no one be in any doubt, the rules of the games are changing."
Mr Blair said that clerics coming in to preach at British mosques will have to be vetted to ensure they do not pose a threat while those already here who do will be deported.
On issuing today's statement, Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said: "The British Muslim community has always been a law-abiding community and all its endeavours to create a just society have been entirely peaceful.
"However, we will not allow the demonising, devaluing or targeting of the concept of Islam which will we hold very dear."
Radical backlash means they are going to bomb the crap out of British civilians, buses... and are giving the Lib media a heads up for the excuse to make for them.
"...banning radical Islamic groups could fuel a radical sub-culture..."
Ok. That statement is just plain stupid.
OOOhhhh, backlash? Maybe they'll be mad and then they will -- behead people? Put up IEDs? Attack our buildings with airplanes? Blow up subways? Try not to make the muzzies mad, whatever you do.
Way too late for that, islamic values are being seen as "demonic" because they ARE demonic.
OOOhhhh, backlash? Maybe they'll be mad and then they will -- behead people? Put up IEDs? Attack our buildings with airplanes? Blow up subways? Try not to make the muzzies mad, whatever you do.
So get your community to clean up it's own cesspits then there won't be a problem..
Moderate Muslims = Fairy + Tale
Um, this has already happened, hasn't it?
Well we won't allow you to bomb the crap out of us.
Threats, whines, welfare abuse, mass murder...the Muslims are such a pleasant people and wonderful addition to the British Heritage.
I guess I would say damned if you do and damned if you don't ..........so you might as well do. Appeasement only delays the war, it does not prevent it.
It's not a warning it's a threat and it should be responded to appropriately.
Name a legitimate Islamic value. Then tell me what makes it legitimate. Is it legitimate because it upholds the dignity of the human person as a creation of God? Or is it legitimate because "it's in the Koran"?
The Islamic mind is the most circular in its thinking (if you can call it thinking) of any I have ever seen. They are essentially saying, "if you threaten to deport any of us or close down any mosques for fomenting terrorism, we will foment terrorism."
The radical sub-culture already exists. The measures simply address that pre-exisitng culture. This statement is like a threat and call to appeasement.
"We fear that recent events..."
Yes, dear, fear is what terrorism is all about...consider it the "boomerang effect"....or "instant karma".
"They wouldn't have done such horrible Muslim things if we hadn't been mean to them" is just another way of allowing then to blame their pig fat crimes on their victims.
"On issuing today's statement, Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said: "The British Muslim community has always been a law-abiding community and all its endeavours to create a just society have been entirely peaceful."
It's "endeavors to create a just society" is what caused this problem in the first place, genius.
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