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."
""Criminalising the mere possession of certain opinions is the hallmark of dictatorships, not democracies.""
This is actually a good point, but avoids the fact that islam today is using attitudes which christianity hasn't seen in any widespread fashion at this level of intensity since the 16th and 17th centuries, specifically the conflicts between the catholic and various protestant governments/populaces.
Having let a population with such primitive elements in the immigration door, the governments now find themself essentially legislating speech to a greater degree than ever. While it certainly is a step in the right direction with islam, it is important to note, particularly in the UK but also anywhere else these sorts of tactics are used, that IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE LAWS PUT ON THE BOOKS NOW ARE USED AGAINST CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL FOR STUFF NEVER SOLD TO THE PUBLIC AS A CONSEQUENCE OF PASSAGE OF SAID LAWS.
That's reason enough right there to deport all the Muslims.
Is it me, or do all these warnings always seem like threats?
What they might start bombing the tube? oh wait they already did that..
Boy, these muzzies have the stones enough to put forth a statement like this load of camel dung!
No, it's the extremist mosques, groups and leaders that have been doing that for the last 20 yers!
Do as we say.....or else what happens next won't be our fault.
yup ,[wringing our collective hands] "Don't make them mad , oh pleeeease don't get them angry!!!" [/srcsm] just like the months after Sept 11th
Islam in a nutshell.
Don't upset the poor widdle muslims who are always the victims of someone, somewhere, even those standing up to the poor widdle muslims who have just commited mass murder against innocents. Their favorite line is "Death to (fill in the blank)." If this scum can't be brought into the modern world, then they have to be taken out of it. They are too dangerous with all nasty stuff that they can get their hands on. The rights of everyone else to live outweigh the right of Islam to exist as it is. If muslims continue to support the murderers and help them to stay hidden, and oppose actions to clean up their mess, then they must all be suspect.
Well, well, well, they are admitting that there is no tangible difference between extremists and moderates. Curious they would come out and say it.
""However, we will not allow the demonising, devaluing or targeting of the concept of Islam which will we hold very dear."
Sounds like a threat to me.
Not if the radicals are all shipped out to the Muslim paradises they came from. At least the Brits will no longer be feeding and housing these vipers. If I were Blair, I'd have these imams out of England by fall.
The camel, having now gotten its entire head inside the tent, threatens to bite if goaded.
This is "moderate" islam.
Sounds like a game of high stakes poker. We'll see your backlash, and then raise it. BTW, how can you demonize something when it already is?
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