People in Wootton Bassett, the town famous for honouring dead British soldiers returning from Afghanistan, reacted defiantly on Saturday to news that a controversial Islamic group is to march through its streets.
Mourners watch as soldiers are driven through the village of Wootton Bassett
Islam4UK – which calls itself a "platform" for extremist movement al-Muhajiroun – plans to parade through the Wiltshire town in the coming weeks.
The group's website says the event is being held "not in memory of the occupying and merciless British military" but of the Muslims its says have been "murdered in the name of democracy and freedom".
Leader Anjem Choudary said the protest, involving 500 people, would be peaceful one, with "symbolic coffins" being carried to honour Muslim victims of the conflict. He said he also planned to write to the parents of dead UK soldiers with his version of "the reality of what they died for".
But the walk will not coincide with the return of a dead soldier's body, added Mr Choudary, 42, a former lawyer from East London.
Hundreds of people line the market town's High Street every week to watch servicemen's bodies being driven through from RAF Lyneham.
Family and friends of the fallen, shopkeepers and British Legion members wait in all weathers to pay silent tribute to a cortege of Union flag-draped coffins.
Ex-mayor and councillor Chris Wannell said: "We don't do what we do at Wootton Bassett for any political reason at all, but to pay our respects to those who have given their lives for our freedom.
"We are a Christian country and a traditional old English market town who honour very much our Queen and country. We obey the law and pay respects to our servicemen who protect our freedom.
"If this man has any decency about him he will not hold a march through Wootton Bassett."
He also called on the media not to give the group any attention.
North Wiltshire MP James Gray said: "I've seen in the past assorted groups threaten to march, but they don't actually do it. I wouldn't think they'd get permission from the police.
"The people of Wootton Bassett are not interested in politics. They will say, these are foolish people making a silly point – we'll get on with our ordinary lives thank you.
"This also misunderstands the nature of what the people of Wootton Bassett do. They are not bloodthirstily in favour of the war. Most people would say they were not qualified to comment on the rightness or wrongness.
"The people of Wootton Bassett are decent, quiet, pragmatic people and they'll stay at home instead (of reacting to the march)."
Islam4UK describes the plans for the "momentous march" on its website.
It says: "Wootton Bassett, is currently famous for its public mourning processions held in memory of British soldiers killed whilst on military service in Afghanistan; coffins containing the dismembered bodies of these soldiers are usually draped in Union jack flags and driven through the town centre from RAF Lyneham, as a tribute to their 'sacrifice'.
"The proposed march by members of Islam4UK is however of a very different venture, held not in memory of the occupying and merciless British military, but rather the real war dead who have been shunned by the Western media and general public as they were and continue to be horrifically murdered in the name of Democracy and Freedom – the innocent Muslim men, women and children.
"It is quite extraordinary, that with well over 100,000 Muslims killed in Afghanistan in the last 8 years that those military serviceman who have directly or indirectly contributed to their death are paraded as war heroes and moreover honoured for what is ultimately genocide.
"We at Islam4UK find this totally unacceptable and as a result have decided to launch the 'Wootton Bassett March' to highlight the real casualties of this brutal Crusade."
Mr Choudary added: "The British public is blissfully unaware of what's being done in their name. More than 10,000 innocent men women and children are being slaughtered.
"You may see one or two coffins being returned to the UK every other day but when you think about the people of Afghanistan it's a huge number (being killed) in comparison.
"I intend to write a letter to the parents of British soldiers telling them the reality of what they died for."
The march will call for the withdrawal of British troops who Mr Choudary believes are largely in Afghanistan to "prevent the rise of Islam in the area."
He added that some families of the dead soldiers had even offered him their support.
Wiltshire Police said they were aware of the "significant community concern" caused by the proposal, adding that they would have to approve details before permitting the march.
A force spokesman said: "In exceptional circumstances, the police may apply to the local authority for an order prohibiting such a march.
"In these particular circumstances, Wiltshire Police will be liaising closely with the local community and our partner agencies.
"Furthermore, contact will be sought with the organisers at the earliest opportunity in order to determine the facts of the proposed march.
"To date there has been no contact from Islam4uk or any other group wishing to arrange such a march in Wootton Bassett."
Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
I think the best thing they can do is let the march go ahead, but not give it any attention. No media, no insults, no EDL nutters. Just let Choudary and his group of ex alcoholic, drug addicted clowns march, and not raise an eyelid when you see the self righteous loony toons walk by. Although writing to the parents of dead British soldiers would be nothing short of an insult. Choudary needs to watch his next step, with the likes of the EDL, BNP and just general people angry by his antics around, or else he might find himself sharing the same fate of the deceased British soldiers, although I doubt the people of Wootten Bassett would turn out in their usual thousands to give him the usual honourable send off.
Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
Never heard of this guy or his group. Is he the muslim equivalent of Fred Phelps?
The last things muslims in the west need is a MORE tarnished image. I think you're right, he does this and other muslims, sane ones not belonging to this group may have to pay for it.
Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
format_quote Originally Posted by Pygoscelis
Never heard of this guy or his group. Is he the muslim equivalent of Fred Phelps?
The last things muslims in the west need is a MORE tarnished image. I think you're right, he does this and other muslims, sane ones not belonging to this group may have to pay for it.
Fred Phelps would be a good comparison, yes. Or a Nazi who used to be a devout Jew. Because this guy hates everything he used to do. He hates casual sex, pornography, drugs, alcohol- it'd be fine normally to hate these things, but Choudary used to be a porn addicted, sex crazed, drug loving alcoholic. He's a hypocrite, well deserving of some sort of Sharia style punishment for his sins.
Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
I'm all for the protest, I don't care about mr chaudary and his crew although it would have been better if a more moderate group had come up with the idea
here's some comments to think about:
How come if the EDL protest and march past a mosque it's free speech, yet if these passionate group of guys walk in Wooton Bassett they should be sent packing??
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Are they not right to mourn their lost as well? Are their lives worth less than some 18yr old english lad who enlisted because it was better than working in McDonalds, not knowing why they are really involved in a war?
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Why march through this town though? Does this group want to provoke people?
Having said that,
A friend of the company my dad works for had his whole family killed in a bomb attack in Baghdad ordered by British and US infantry. He was Muslim and is as much, if not more, respectable than my family here in Australia. I am Catholic and have no problem with peaceful Muslims, honestly.
I see no problem if it is a peaceful march whose purpose is to honour their dead.
Islamic families have lost loved ones too
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what is wrong in remembering the civilian casualties of both the iraq and afghan
wars,the first was illegal and the second has lost all credibility.We should remember the death of all the inocent regardless of who they are.
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As unpleasant as this guy is, he's not doing anything wrong. He has every right to protest providing he doesn't break any laws and there is no real reason to stop him as freedom of speech doesn't only apply to people we agree with and goes against British tradition.
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i hope they do march, these are normal people highlighting the atrocities of war, the "our boys" attitude has got to go, we are a human race, we already dont give any media coverage to the thousands of innocents killed, yet we go way overboard when one of "our boys" gets killed, it's a shame they die, but it's then used as a political tool, big funeral on the news, whats that for? propaganda thats what.
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I don't see a problem myself. As long as the march is peaceful then there's no issue.
I doubt the BNP types will let it go peacefully though.
The marchers do have a point. There are lots of innocent muslims being killed in Iraq and Afghanistan but their lives are deemed to be worth less than westerners by the media.
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if we don't want muslims marching on our streets, then we shouldn't have our army doing the same in their lands.
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I Cannot see anything wrong with this parade. It is not glorifying war, but remembering all the innocents, lost in these vile,corrupt unjust wars, but that can be said about all wars in the end. Terrorists, if not created by invading agressors, to justify their actions. or are bred by invading other peoples countries. I would become a Terrorist, if my country was invaded.
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but surely they have a point?!
after all they are right....its not only the soldiers that had to suffer but the victims as well....a lot of innocent lives were lost and the public have to realise this. i know its not the soldiers fault but rather our corrupt government..
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What is wrong with you people? Do you not give a jot about 100,000 innocent Muslim men, women and children who have died in the war? A war that they want as little as we do. At least soldiers choose to go to a war zone. innocent civilians don't!!! The life of an Iraqi civilian is worth just as much as a UK soldier
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I'm not a fan of Anjem Choudary but I don't think it hurts for the British public to be reminded now and again that many innocent Afghan men,women and children have been killed in this conflict.
The media does not report much on this, the British public do not seem to care either. It is time that they did.
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I think the people of that town should stop and pay respects to the peaceful march, and pay respect to dead in afghanistan, iraq etc - A dead child is still a dead child, regardless of religion or colour.
Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
format_quote Originally Posted by
A friend of the company my dad works for had his whole family killed in a bomb attack in Baghdad ordered by British and US infantry.
You will recall how the war went. The Brits fought in the south and the Americans went to Baghdad. How can British and American infantry order a bombing in Baghdad/??
This comment is the usual propaganda spouted so often.
The insurgents in Iraq killed 90,000 - 100,000 people. The “bombing” above, if true, was done by insurgents.
format_quote Originally Posted by
….remembering all the innocents, lost in these vile,corrupt unjust wars, I would become a Terrorist, if my country was invaded.
The difference is the Iraqis killed other Iraqis. If the Americans invade you’re country would you kill your own countrymen?
Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
format_quote Originally Posted by Joe98
You will recall how the war went. The Brits fought in the south and the Americans went to Baghdad. How can British and American infantry order a bombing in Baghdad/??
This comment is the usual propaganda spouted so often.
The insurgents in Iraq killed 90,000 - 100,000 people. The “bombing” above, if true, was done by insurgents.
The difference is the Iraqis killed other Iraqis. If the Americans invade you’re country would you kill your own countrymen?
-
It certainly wasnt on a massive scale before your men popped into the lands to give "divine" punishment to Mr Saddam?
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Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
I'm all for the protest, I don't care about mr chaudary and his crew although it would have been better if a more moderate group had come up with the idea
Because they're hypocrites. They couldn't give a monkeys about the poor innocent victims of war, they're trying to stir up trouble. It's like if a group of Israeli Zionists protesting about Palestinians support for Hamas whilst marching through the al Asqa compound. Sure, they probably are protesting over a good cause, but they're hypocrites and they're trying to ignite anger.
Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
format_quote Originally Posted by Supreme
Because they're hypocrites. They couldn't give a monkeys about the poor innocent victims of war, they're trying to stir up trouble. It's like if a group of Israeli Zionists protesting about Palestinians support for Hamas whilst marching through the al Asqa compound. Sure, they probably are protesting over a good cause, but they're hypocrites and they're trying to ignite anger.
As I said I don't care what they are and what you think they are, the cause is what is good and muslims should support that.
Its about time people learn about the true victims of these illegal wars
Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
format_quote Originally Posted by Supreme
Because they're hypocrites. They couldn't give a monkeys about the poor innocent victims of war, they're trying to stir up trouble. It's like if a group of Israeli Zionists protesting about Palestinians support for Hamas whilst marching through the al Asqa compound. Sure, they probably are protesting over a good cause, but they're hypocrites and they're trying to ignite anger.
you know this because you know them too well??? Think before you look like a fool. Fool!
Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
what ever happened to freedom of speech, and that you dont have a right to not be offended? typical western HYPOCRITES, start crying foul play when the freedom of speech affects them and makes them feel bad, when the freedom of speech attacks something they hold to be sacred and honourable, oh well, feel a taste of your philosophy, doesnt taste too good now does it.
Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
The PM has warned the group that if any offence is caused to the families of the fallen British troops then they will face prosecution. It was stated on Sky News. Also on Sky News the 7 muslim protesters that protested against British troops have been charged! Get in there!
Re: Outrage over controversial Islamic group's plan to march through Wootton Bassett
format_quote Originally Posted by abu salaahudeen
you know this because you know them too well??? Think before you look like a fool. Fool!
Again, I'm astounded by such amazing intellect that raises such a good point. These people (I'd refrain from using the term 'Muslim' to avoid offending Muslims here) are so filled with hate for the society yet happily enjoying its benefits! In a(small) way, it's a shame we didn't have Sharia law here ten years ago, Choudary would have been stoned to death long ago for being a porn loving, sex crazed, violent, uneducated, bigoted drug addict! But then I suppose with arguments such as this
whats the matter??? Are you and your christian pagan worshipping ilks worried that the christian crusade is going to be exposed??
it's becoming equally hard to take you more seriously than Choudary, peace be upon his adulterous, alcoholic yet still righteous name!
what ever happened to freedom of speech, and that you dont have a right to not be offended?
Freedom of speech is all very good until people start offending others.
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