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Britain
Islamic cleric defends suicide bombing stance
2004-07-08
Professor Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who is not allowed to enter the US because of his views, defended the right of Palestinians to use such tactics despite demands at prime minister's question time from the Conservative leader, Michael Howard, that he should have been prevented from entering the country. The influential Egyptian-born theologian was speaking at the opening of a conference for Muslims in Europe at the Greater London authority's Thames-side building, where he shared a platform with the London mayor, Ken Livingstone. Mr Livingstone said he endorsed many of Mr Qaradawi's views on Israel. The conference, which lasts until Monday, is being organised by the European Council for Fatwa and Research, of which Mr Qaradawi is the president. The Muslim Council of Britain and the Muslim Association of Britain, which together represent the overwhelming majority of Muslims in this country, have welcomed the visit of a man revered as a distinguished scholar. They condemned what they called inflammatory reports being circulated by "the Zionist lobby".

Mr Qaradawi, 77, who is well known throughout the Middle East where many consider him to be a moderate figure who has condemned al-Qaida attacks, is less well known in Britain. He lives in the Gulf state of Qatar and is a regular guest on Arab television. He is also a trustee of the Oxford University Centre for Islamic Studies and three of his daughters completed doctorates at British universities. His appearance at this week's conference has triggered criticism not only because of his stance on Palestinian suicide bombings but because of his reported views on homosexuality as a "perverted practice". The gay rights activist, Peter Tatchell, yesterday expressed shock that the mayor of London should share a platform with him. "Ken Livingstone would not give a platform to the BNP," he said. "This man is even more extreme. He appears to endorse violence against women and gay people."

Mr Qaradawi told the packed GLA assembly hall: "It is not the first time I have visited London. It is not the 10th time or the 100th time. For over a third of a century I have been visiting London. London is an open city, so why is there this row when I visit London today?" Challenged on his attitude towards suicide bombings, Mr Qaradawi did not disavow his comments on Palestinian tactics. He described them as "the weapons of the weak" and added: "They have no other means to resist occupation and liberate their lands."
Posted by:Mark Espinola

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