Government suspends links with Muslim Council of Britain over Gaza
- Thread starter Uthman
- Start date
- Replies 30
- Views 5K
British Wholesales - Certified Wholesale Linen & Towels | Halal Food Gastronomy | PHP 8.4 patch for vBulletin 4.2.5
Thats a key point about the effect of the press actually. They exert enormous influence, and some of theme are so patently Islamophobic. The likes of the Mail, Sun, Express etc. They instill this irrational fear of pervasive radicalisation and some sort of imminent Muslim invasion of the UK.
It is good, that we have on the other hand, newspapers such as the Guardian and Independent, which always expose such unfounded accusations made by jingoistic publications, and even in isolated examples where radicalisation has occured, the left-wing press argues correctly that it is the only recourse that many disaffected young Muslims have in an era when the Muslim world is under a sustained onslaught from almost every quarter of the supposedly "civilized" world, whether political or military.
Also, sometimes if you ever happen to watch BBC Parliament, and when they deliberate the Gaza bombardment, you notice how vehemently, especially in the House of Lords, the pro-Israel lobby defends the malicious actions and seeks to rationalize such inhumance massacres.
Perhaps when someday, we are able to collectively vote in more conscientous MPs, such as George Galloway and Clare Short, who are not afraid of speaking the truth, can we then have a real alteration in British foreign policy.
It is good, that we have on the other hand, newspapers such as the Guardian and Independent, which always expose such unfounded accusations made by jingoistic publications, and even in isolated examples where radicalisation has occured, the left-wing press argues correctly that it is the only recourse that many disaffected young Muslims have in an era when the Muslim world is under a sustained onslaught from almost every quarter of the supposedly "civilized" world, whether political or military.
Also, sometimes if you ever happen to watch BBC Parliament, and when they deliberate the Gaza bombardment, you notice how vehemently, especially in the House of Lords, the pro-Israel lobby defends the malicious actions and seeks to rationalize such inhumance massacres.
Perhaps when someday, we are able to collectively vote in more conscientous MPs, such as George Galloway and Clare Short, who are not afraid of speaking the truth, can we then have a real alteration in British foreign policy.
Last edited:
Uthman
LI News Service
- Messages
- 5,513
- Reaction score
- 1,216
- Gender
- Male
- Religion
- Islam
Comment by Hazel Blears:
Our shunning of the MCB is not grandstanding
The MCB deputy secretary general has signed a declaration supporting violence against troops and Jewish communities.
Over the past two weeks the government has been privately engaging with the Muslim Council of Britain through meetings and correspondence to establish whether one of their senior members attended the Global Anti-Aggression conference in Istanbul, and if so, whether he also signed the Istanbul declaration that calls for violence against troops and Jewish communities. This is not grandstanding. The government would be shirking its duty if it fails to investigate any potential threat to the security of our troops and communities. We must take this extremely seriously.
That is why we have been asking the MCB to find out whether their deputy secretary general, Dr Abdullah, attended the conference and signed the statement. The MCB has now confirmed he did attend and did sign the declaration. A declaration that supports violence against foreign forces – which could include British naval personnel – as the prime minister has offered British naval support to stop the smuggling of weapons to Gaza; and advocating attacks on Jewish communities all around the world.
Speculation that the government intended to use our counter-terrorism strategy (Contest) to widen the definition of extremism is categorically wrong. As we have consistently set out, Contest is grounded in our shared values which we will protect, respect and promote – at home and abroad – and that includes freedom of speech and the right for people to express views about foreign policy and the situation in the Middle East. We will continue to challenge those who reject, or seek to undermine them and those who advocate violence against our troops and against particular communities.
I would urge the MCB to accept the serious nature of this issue and work with us to resolve it so that we can continue in partnership to build the safe, strong, cohesive communities in which we all want to live.
This will be published as a letter in the Guardian on March 26th 2009
Source
Hazel Blears is Labour MP for Salford.
Our shunning of the MCB is not grandstanding
The MCB deputy secretary general has signed a declaration supporting violence against troops and Jewish communities.
Over the past two weeks the government has been privately engaging with the Muslim Council of Britain through meetings and correspondence to establish whether one of their senior members attended the Global Anti-Aggression conference in Istanbul, and if so, whether he also signed the Istanbul declaration that calls for violence against troops and Jewish communities. This is not grandstanding. The government would be shirking its duty if it fails to investigate any potential threat to the security of our troops and communities. We must take this extremely seriously.
That is why we have been asking the MCB to find out whether their deputy secretary general, Dr Abdullah, attended the conference and signed the statement. The MCB has now confirmed he did attend and did sign the declaration. A declaration that supports violence against foreign forces – which could include British naval personnel – as the prime minister has offered British naval support to stop the smuggling of weapons to Gaza; and advocating attacks on Jewish communities all around the world.
Speculation that the government intended to use our counter-terrorism strategy (Contest) to widen the definition of extremism is categorically wrong. As we have consistently set out, Contest is grounded in our shared values which we will protect, respect and promote – at home and abroad – and that includes freedom of speech and the right for people to express views about foreign policy and the situation in the Middle East. We will continue to challenge those who reject, or seek to undermine them and those who advocate violence against our troops and against particular communities.
I would urge the MCB to accept the serious nature of this issue and work with us to resolve it so that we can continue in partnership to build the safe, strong, cohesive communities in which we all want to live.
This will be published as a letter in the Guardian on March 26th 2009
Source
Hazel Blears is Labour MP for Salford.
Uthman
LI News Service
- Messages
- 5,513
- Reaction score
- 1,216
- Gender
- Male
- Religion
- Islam
Comment by Daud Abdullah:
My reply to Hazel Blears
The communities minister has now moved from concerns about British troops to claims of attacks on Jews.
In her misguided and ill-advised attempt to exercise control on the affairs of the largest independent Muslim organisation, the MCB, which has steadfastly and with honesty represented the views of Muslims over the years, Hazel Blears has used my attendance at the Global Anti-Aggression Campaign conference and the signing of a position document as the peg to hang her coat on. Her latest claim as stated in a letter on her behalf to our secretary-general and published in the Guardian today is that I signed a document "advocating attacks on Jewish communities all around the world". She had not raised this allegation before yesterday and it is entirely untrue.
The official communiqué of the Global Anti-Aggression Campaign conference thanked the Turkish government for its political stand towards the war on Gaza and allowing the conference to be convened in Istanbul. Despite his public condemnation of the war, prime minister Tayeb Erdogan's government maintained its strong diplomatic ties with Israel. On several occasions during and after the war he reaffirmed that his government would not tolerate any acts of antisemitism in Turkey. Contrary to Hazel Blears, the Turkish government did not interpret the Istanbul declaration to advocate attacks on Jews.
In her letter to the MCB, Blears wrote: "We have particular concerns around paragraphs II.7 and II.8. Although the wording of these paragraphs is not exact, it is clear that the intention behind them is to call for attacks on Jews throughout the world and to retaliate against any action which could be taken by the British government in sending naval forces to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza. While the wording is not specific, both the tone and content of these paragraphs call for violence."
Although the letter to the MCB from the government says the wording of the document is "not exact" and "not specific", Blears affirms in her letter to Guardian with astounding certainty that it "advocates attacks on Jewish communities all around the world".
We have arrived at the stage where the secretary of state is now attributing an "intention" which in fact does not exist. While it is true that dictators often persecute their people for what they assume their intention is and not their actions, this has never been a feature of life in a mature democracy.
The focus of Blears' latest sudden concerns is item 7 of the document which talks about the political "position" towards those who support the Israeli ("Zionist entity") crimes – and they are crimes, as Israel is committing actions which are illegal and contrary to international law. The paragraph does not suggest in any way how to react to those who support Israel. More importantly, it refers to those who support Israeli crimes in general including Arabs and Muslims, as was clear from other parts of the statement which criticised the Arab regimes more than anyone else. However, none of these autocratic regimes interpreted this statement as a call for violence or attack on them or anyone else.
For the purposes of clarity, my position remains as follows:
1. I did not call for or support attacks on British troops anywhere in the world. As a British citizen, I have the right to criticise and campaign against government political decisions that embroil young British soldiers in illegal occupations and interventions. One of the reasons I joined the demonstrations against the war in Iraq was to prevent the sacrifice of young soldiers in an illegal war. For this reason I was the first to go to Baghdad in 2004 to seek the release of the British hostage, Ken Bigley, despite threats to my life in Iraq and here in the UK after I returned. This move was welcomed by the government at the time, but it seems some have a short memory.
2. Unlike his predecessor, prime minister Brown has promised that any such future intervention would only be carried out after it is endorsed by parliament. All the assertions made by the secretary of state are based on conjecture and totally hypothetical scenarios.
3. I am absolutely opposed to any attack or violence directed against innocent persons of any faith or no faith anywhere in the world. To claim that I call for attacks on Jewish communities throughout the world is completely false and an inflammatory and malicious assault on my beliefs, words and actions.
4. The Palestinians have the right to resist Israel's illegal occupation, a right supported by international law and the Charter of the UN. In the same way as it is a common British value to respect international law and support justice and freedom of oppressed people, I, along with the Muslim community and large sections of the wider British society, support the rights of the Palestinians.
5. If anything good is to emerge from this saga it should be the affirmation of the independence of MCB. However much Hazel Blears may dislike or disagree with its views she should respect this independence and deal with its representatives as equal citizens, just as it deals with the representatives of other communities.
I have no intention of bowing to the pressure from Hazel Blears to resign. The MCB will continue to make its positive contributions toward a just and fair society.
Source
Daud Abdullah is deputy secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain.
My reply to Hazel Blears
The communities minister has now moved from concerns about British troops to claims of attacks on Jews.
In her misguided and ill-advised attempt to exercise control on the affairs of the largest independent Muslim organisation, the MCB, which has steadfastly and with honesty represented the views of Muslims over the years, Hazel Blears has used my attendance at the Global Anti-Aggression Campaign conference and the signing of a position document as the peg to hang her coat on. Her latest claim as stated in a letter on her behalf to our secretary-general and published in the Guardian today is that I signed a document "advocating attacks on Jewish communities all around the world". She had not raised this allegation before yesterday and it is entirely untrue.
The official communiqué of the Global Anti-Aggression Campaign conference thanked the Turkish government for its political stand towards the war on Gaza and allowing the conference to be convened in Istanbul. Despite his public condemnation of the war, prime minister Tayeb Erdogan's government maintained its strong diplomatic ties with Israel. On several occasions during and after the war he reaffirmed that his government would not tolerate any acts of antisemitism in Turkey. Contrary to Hazel Blears, the Turkish government did not interpret the Istanbul declaration to advocate attacks on Jews.
In her letter to the MCB, Blears wrote: "We have particular concerns around paragraphs II.7 and II.8. Although the wording of these paragraphs is not exact, it is clear that the intention behind them is to call for attacks on Jews throughout the world and to retaliate against any action which could be taken by the British government in sending naval forces to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza. While the wording is not specific, both the tone and content of these paragraphs call for violence."
Although the letter to the MCB from the government says the wording of the document is "not exact" and "not specific", Blears affirms in her letter to Guardian with astounding certainty that it "advocates attacks on Jewish communities all around the world".
We have arrived at the stage where the secretary of state is now attributing an "intention" which in fact does not exist. While it is true that dictators often persecute their people for what they assume their intention is and not their actions, this has never been a feature of life in a mature democracy.
The focus of Blears' latest sudden concerns is item 7 of the document which talks about the political "position" towards those who support the Israeli ("Zionist entity") crimes – and they are crimes, as Israel is committing actions which are illegal and contrary to international law. The paragraph does not suggest in any way how to react to those who support Israel. More importantly, it refers to those who support Israeli crimes in general including Arabs and Muslims, as was clear from other parts of the statement which criticised the Arab regimes more than anyone else. However, none of these autocratic regimes interpreted this statement as a call for violence or attack on them or anyone else.
For the purposes of clarity, my position remains as follows:
1. I did not call for or support attacks on British troops anywhere in the world. As a British citizen, I have the right to criticise and campaign against government political decisions that embroil young British soldiers in illegal occupations and interventions. One of the reasons I joined the demonstrations against the war in Iraq was to prevent the sacrifice of young soldiers in an illegal war. For this reason I was the first to go to Baghdad in 2004 to seek the release of the British hostage, Ken Bigley, despite threats to my life in Iraq and here in the UK after I returned. This move was welcomed by the government at the time, but it seems some have a short memory.
2. Unlike his predecessor, prime minister Brown has promised that any such future intervention would only be carried out after it is endorsed by parliament. All the assertions made by the secretary of state are based on conjecture and totally hypothetical scenarios.
3. I am absolutely opposed to any attack or violence directed against innocent persons of any faith or no faith anywhere in the world. To claim that I call for attacks on Jewish communities throughout the world is completely false and an inflammatory and malicious assault on my beliefs, words and actions.
4. The Palestinians have the right to resist Israel's illegal occupation, a right supported by international law and the Charter of the UN. In the same way as it is a common British value to respect international law and support justice and freedom of oppressed people, I, along with the Muslim community and large sections of the wider British society, support the rights of the Palestinians.
5. If anything good is to emerge from this saga it should be the affirmation of the independence of MCB. However much Hazel Blears may dislike or disagree with its views she should respect this independence and deal with its representatives as equal citizens, just as it deals with the representatives of other communities.
I have no intention of bowing to the pressure from Hazel Blears to resign. The MCB will continue to make its positive contributions toward a just and fair society.
Source
Daud Abdullah is deputy secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain.
Uthman
LI News Service
- Messages
- 5,513
- Reaction score
- 1,216
- Gender
- Male
- Religion
- Islam
Uthman
LI News Service
- Messages
- 5,513
- Reaction score
- 1,216
- Gender
- Male
- Religion
- Islam
I would be inclined to say a Muslim majority country but as we very well know, sometimes a Non-Muslim country can be more 'Islamic' than a Muslim majority one. I really don't know, but I would prefer a country which shares the most values with Islam.
transition?
To Him I return
- Messages
- 908
- Reaction score
- 99
- Gender
- Female
- Religion
- Islam
That's come to be a real obstacle for so many Muslims. Many Muslims are already moving back to the Middle East, in hope of advocating new (less-corrupt) leadership there. InshaAllah, I planning the same!
Uthman
LI News Service
- Messages
- 5,513
- Reaction score
- 1,216
- Gender
- Male
- Religion
- Islam
Uthman
LI News Service
- Messages
- 5,513
- Reaction score
- 1,216
- Gender
- Male
- Religion
- Islam
Muslim leader sues Blears on Gaza
A leading member of the Muslim Council of Britain is suing cabinet minister Hazel Blears for defamation, following a row over the Israeli bombing of Gaza.
Dr Daud Abdullah, who is the MCB deputy secretary-general, is seeking damages.
Ms Blears said a document which Dr Abdullah signed on hostilities in Gaza had advocated attacks on UK military personnel and on Jews around the world.
Ms Blears made the claim in a letter to the Guardian last week, but Dr Abdullah has vehemently denied it.
The document is known as the Istanbul Declaration and was signed by 90 Muslim leaders in response to the three-week Israeli offensive in Gaza, in December and January.
We are concerned with those articles which appear to call for violence and Dr Abdullah's repeated unwillingness to distance himself from [them]
Statement, Department for Communities and Local Government
The minister said the declaration supported violence against foreign troops, including British naval forces and advocated "attacks on Jewish communities all around the world".
Ms Blears, who is Communities Secretary, said Dr Abdullah needed to make his own position clear.
Dr Abdullah has in turn accused Ms Blears of "crude bullying". He said the declaration did not represent an attack on Jewish people and that he did not call for or support attacks on British troops anywhere in the world.
Private dialogue
After the legal action was launched a spokesperson for the Department for Communities and Local Government confirmed it had received correspondence from Dr Daud Abdullah's solicitors.
"We have been in dialogue with the MCB since 6 March, seeking clarification of the actions taken by Dr Abdullah in relation to the serious issues raised by the articles in the Istanbul Declaration.
What I do advocate is the right of all British citizens to agree or disagree with government policy and to use all lawful means to democratically make their voices heard.
Dr Daud Abdullah
"We are concerned with those articles which appear to call for violence and Dr Abdullah's repeated unwillingness to distance himself from those articles specifically.
"The legal route that Dr Abdullah has chosen to take despite our offer of further private dialogue with the MCB to resolve the matter means this will now be taken forward by solicitors."
The UK government has said it is concerned with the following articles of the declaration:
• "The obligation of the Islamic Nation to regard everyone standing with the Zionist entity, whether countries, institutions or individuals, as providing a substantial contribution to the crimes and brutality of this entity; the position towards him is the same as towards this usurping entity."
• "The obligation of the Islamic Nation to regard the sending of foreign warships into Muslim waters, claiming to control the borders and prevent the smuggling of arms to Gaza, as in effect a declaration of war, a new occupation, sinful aggression, and a clear violation of the sovereignty of the Nation, that must be rejected and fought by all means and ways."
Responding to Ms Blears with his own letter to the Guardian, Dr Abdullah said: "I do not advocate attacks on any religious community, including Jewish communities, and I do not advocate attacks on British military forces.
"What I do advocate is the right of all British citizens to agree or disagree with government policy and to use all lawful means to democratically make their voices heard.
"A government which tries to suppress discussion of such views by the kind of crude bullying to which Hazel Blears unfortunately stoops will have little moral support, not only in the Muslim community, but in wider society," he added.
Last week a Labour MP and two of the party's peers were among co-signatories with Dr Abdullah of a public statement insisting they did not "condone, encourage or support" killing any human beings or attacks on British soldiers.
Ms Blears said at the time that the statement was a "helpful first step" but that "greater clarity" of Dr Abdullah's views was needed.
She said she stood by what she believed about the declaration.
"Public statements that assert that attacks of this kind are not only acceptable but an 'obligation' cannot go unchallenged," she said.
She denied Dr Abdullah's claims that she was trying to "suppress discussion".
Source
A leading member of the Muslim Council of Britain is suing cabinet minister Hazel Blears for defamation, following a row over the Israeli bombing of Gaza.
Dr Daud Abdullah, who is the MCB deputy secretary-general, is seeking damages.
Ms Blears said a document which Dr Abdullah signed on hostilities in Gaza had advocated attacks on UK military personnel and on Jews around the world.
Ms Blears made the claim in a letter to the Guardian last week, but Dr Abdullah has vehemently denied it.
The document is known as the Istanbul Declaration and was signed by 90 Muslim leaders in response to the three-week Israeli offensive in Gaza, in December and January.
Statement, Department for Communities and Local Government
The minister said the declaration supported violence against foreign troops, including British naval forces and advocated "attacks on Jewish communities all around the world".
Ms Blears, who is Communities Secretary, said Dr Abdullah needed to make his own position clear.
Dr Abdullah has in turn accused Ms Blears of "crude bullying". He said the declaration did not represent an attack on Jewish people and that he did not call for or support attacks on British troops anywhere in the world.
Private dialogue
After the legal action was launched a spokesperson for the Department for Communities and Local Government confirmed it had received correspondence from Dr Daud Abdullah's solicitors.
"We have been in dialogue with the MCB since 6 March, seeking clarification of the actions taken by Dr Abdullah in relation to the serious issues raised by the articles in the Istanbul Declaration.
Dr Daud Abdullah
"We are concerned with those articles which appear to call for violence and Dr Abdullah's repeated unwillingness to distance himself from those articles specifically.
"The legal route that Dr Abdullah has chosen to take despite our offer of further private dialogue with the MCB to resolve the matter means this will now be taken forward by solicitors."
The UK government has said it is concerned with the following articles of the declaration:
• "The obligation of the Islamic Nation to regard everyone standing with the Zionist entity, whether countries, institutions or individuals, as providing a substantial contribution to the crimes and brutality of this entity; the position towards him is the same as towards this usurping entity."
• "The obligation of the Islamic Nation to regard the sending of foreign warships into Muslim waters, claiming to control the borders and prevent the smuggling of arms to Gaza, as in effect a declaration of war, a new occupation, sinful aggression, and a clear violation of the sovereignty of the Nation, that must be rejected and fought by all means and ways."
Responding to Ms Blears with his own letter to the Guardian, Dr Abdullah said: "I do not advocate attacks on any religious community, including Jewish communities, and I do not advocate attacks on British military forces.
"What I do advocate is the right of all British citizens to agree or disagree with government policy and to use all lawful means to democratically make their voices heard.
"A government which tries to suppress discussion of such views by the kind of crude bullying to which Hazel Blears unfortunately stoops will have little moral support, not only in the Muslim community, but in wider society," he added.
Last week a Labour MP and two of the party's peers were among co-signatories with Dr Abdullah of a public statement insisting they did not "condone, encourage or support" killing any human beings or attacks on British soldiers.
Ms Blears said at the time that the statement was a "helpful first step" but that "greater clarity" of Dr Abdullah's views was needed.
She said she stood by what she believed about the declaration.
"Public statements that assert that attacks of this kind are not only acceptable but an 'obligation' cannot go unchallenged," she said.
She denied Dr Abdullah's claims that she was trying to "suppress discussion".
Source