| Britain | |||
| Nearly half of UK mosques are controlled by Deobandis | |||
| 2007-09-07 | |||
Mr ul Haq, 36, was educated and trained at an Islamic seminary in Britain and is part of a new generation of British imams who share a similar radical agenda. He heaps scorn on any Muslims who say they are proud to be British and argues that friendship with a Jew or a Christian makes a mockery of Allahs religion. Seventeen of Britains 26 Islamic seminaries are run by Deobandis and they produce 80 per cent of home-trained Muslim clerics. Many had their studies funded by local education authority grants. The sect, which has significant representation on the Muslim Council of Britain, is at its strongest in the towns and cities of the Midlands and northern England. Figures supplied to The Times by the Lancashire Council of Mosques reveal that 59 of the 75 mosques in five towns Blackburn, Bolton, Preston, Oldham and Burnley are Deobandi-run. It is not suggested that all British Muslims who worship at Deobandi mosques subscribe to the isolationist message preached by Mr ul Haq, and he himself suggests Muslims should only shed blood overseas. But while some Deobandi preachers have a more cohesive approach to interfaith relations, Islamic theologians say that such bridge-building efforts do not represent mainstream Deobandi thinking in Britain. The Times has gained access to numerous talks and sermons delivered in recent years by Mr ul Haq and other graduates of Britains most influential Deobandi seminary near Bury, Greater Manchester. Intended for a Muslim-only audience, they reveal a deep-rooted hatred of Western society, admiration for the Taleban and a passionate zeal for martyrdom in the way of Allah. The seminary outlaws art, television, music and chess, demands entire concealment for women and views football as a cancer that has infected our youth. Mahmood Chandia, a Bury graduate who is now a university lecturer, claims in one sermon that music is a way in which Jews spread the Satanic web to corrupt young Muslims. Nearly every university in England has a department which is called the music department, and in others, where the Satanic influence is more, they call it the Royal College of Music, he says. Another former Bury student, Bradford-based Sheikh Ahmed Ali, hails the 9/11 attacks on America because they acted as a wake-up call to young Muslims. This, he says, taught them that they will never be accepted in Britain and has led them to return to Islam: sisters are wearing hijab . . . the lion is waking up. Mr ul Haq, the most high-profile of the new generation of Deobandis, runs an Islamic academy in Leicester and is the former imam at the Birmingham Central Mosque. Revered by many young Muslims, he draws on his extensive knowledge of the Koran and the life and sayings of the prophet Muhammed to justify his hostility to the kuffar, or non-Muslims. One sermon warns believers to protect their faith by distancing themselves from the evil influence of their non-Muslim British neighbours. We are in a very dangerous position here. We live amongst the kuffar, we work with them, we associate with them, we mix with them and we begin to pick up their habits. In another talk, delivered a few weeks before 9/11, he praises Muslims who have gained martyrdom in battle and laments that today no one dare utter the J word. The J word has become taboo . .. The J word is jihad in the way of Allah. The Times has made repeated attempts to get Mr ul Haq to comment on the content of his sermons. However, he declined to respond. A commentator on religious radicalism in Pakistan, where Deobandis wield significant political influence, told The Times that blind ignorance on the part of the Government in Britain had allowed the Deobandis to become the dominant voice of Islam in Britains mosques. Khaled Ahmed said: The UK has been ruined by the puritanism of the Deobandis. Youve allowed the takeover of the mosques. You cant run multiculturalism like that, because thats a way of destroying yourself. In Britain, the Deobandi message has become even more extreme than it is in Pakistan. Its mind-boggling. In some mosques the sect has wrested control from followers of the more moderate majority, the Barelwi movement. A spokesman for the Department for Communities said: We have a detailed strategy to ensure imams properly represent and connect with mainstream moderate opinion and promote shared values like tolerance and respect for the rule of law. We have never said the challenge from extremism is simply restricted to those coming from overseas. | |||
| Link |
| Britain | ||
| Cleric Compares Blair To Hitler | ||
| 2005-08-06 | ||
A Muslim cleric says there are "similarities" between new powers to tackle Islamist extremism and Hitler's demonisation of the Jews. Tony Blair wants measures to exclude foreigners who preach hate and to close places where terrorism is condoned. Dr Mohammed Naseem, chairman of the Birmingham Central Mosque, said: "I see the similarities...I am saying these are dangerous times." Last week Dr Naseem questioned whether Muslims were behind the London bombs.
Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood called for Dr Naseem to resign after the comments, insisting the cleric had brought his role into disrepute but the chairman retaliated by saying 4,000 worshippers had voted for him to stay. However, following the anti-terrorism proposals unveiled on Friday Dr Naseem told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme that he saw "similarities" between Mr Blair's approach to Britain's Muslim community and Hitler's demonisation of Jews early in his time as German Chancellor. "I think he is not very wise in the way he did it. I am saying he is not handling the situation wisely, because he says one thing at one time and another at another," he said. He [Hitler] was democratically elected and gradually he created a bogey identity, that is, the Jewish people, and posed to the Germans that they were a threat to the country. On that basis, he started a process of elimination of Jewish people. I see the similarities. Everything moves step by step. I am saying these are dangerous times and we must take note of this."
Dr Naseem stood for the Respect-Unity Coalition in Birmingham Perry Barr during the recent general election in Mr Mahmood's constituency and received 2,173 votes. As part of the anti-terrorism measures unveiled on Friday, Mr Blair announced a ban on two radical Islamist organisations, Hizb ut-Tahrir and al-Muhajiroun, even though their leadership insist that they do not advocate violence in the UK. Stating the obvious but the Jews were not blowing themselves up on tubes and plotting to kill everyone on the planet... | ||
| Link |
| Britain | |
| Bigley book of condolence stolen | |
| 2004-10-12 | |
| A book of condolence opened in tribute to the murdered Iraq hostage Kenneth Bigley has been stolen. Thieves also took a framed photograph of him, candles and some sympathy cards from Birmingham Central Mosque. The book, believed to have gone on Saturday, was due to go to Mr Bigley's family to show the mainstream Muslim community's condemnation of his death. Earlier this year a book of condolence for the victims of the Madrid bombings was stolen from the same mosque. Nice folk, ain't they?
| |
| Link |
| Britain |
| Terror leaflets found at mosque |
| 2004-08-20 |
| Hundreds of leaflets urging Muslims to become terrorist fighters have been distributed at a Midland mosque. Police have been called in to investigate after the flyers were found at Birmingham Central Mosque last week. The leaflets urge worshippers to become Mujahideen fighters and ask them to "pray for death and decay to be visited upon the West". The literature bears the name of a group called Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamah, which mosque officials say is often used as an alias for the Al Muhajiroun group. Al Muhajiroun, a small radical organisation which has called for a British Islamic state, has been accused of inciting terrorism, anti-Semitism and homophobia. Mosque chairman Dr Mohammed Naseem warned that the leaflets could act as a recruitment aid for would-be terrorists. "It is very worrying," he said. "These leaflets appear to be encouraging Muslims to become Mujahideen fighters. This sort of thing getting into the wrong hands is very dangerous. They are the views of a minority of people but young, impressionable Muslims may read this and think they should be doing these things. I shall be showing the leaflets to our community policeman and asking him for advice." A mosque official who discovered piles of the leaflets at the religious centre said: "We found two varieties of a very similar flyer. It was immediately obvious that they were produced by Al Muhajiroun using their misleading alias. We removed them immediately after conferring with mosque staff. We have attempted to contact the authors by calling them but we have had no success." The spokesman added: "We do not support this kind of stuff in the mosque because it can act as a recruiting sergeant for terror-related activities. This group's literature has found its way into the mosque before and we have banned it. Most of it is political ranting and raving. But we have never had anything as hate-filled as these leaflets or something which encourages people to join the Mujahideen." Dr Naseem said he blamed the Government for Al Muhajiroun's continuing presence in Britain. "Its leaders continue to preach and incite terrorism and yet the Government does not nothing about it," he said. "These people should be removed from the country." |
| Link |
| Europe |
| Leaflets in UK urge Kashmir martyrdom |
| 2004-08-15 |
| Hundreds of leaflets have been found near to Birmingham Central Mosque encouraging people to become martyrs. The leaflets depict the story of a child who dreams of becoming a martyr and later dies fighting in Kashmir. The mosque understands they may have been distributed by a group affiliated to an organisation which supports Mujahadeen fighters in the country. It is urging local Muslims to ignore the leaflets, which have been handed over to police. Chairman of the mosque, Dr Mohammed Naseem, said: "Don't take any notice of them. The police will decide what they want to do with them. I've handed them over to the police representative who works with us." The flyers were found near the mosque last week. |
| Link |
| Europe |
| Muslim leader punched during prayer |
| 2004-08-08 |
| A Muslim leader was punched in the face after a row broke out at the Midlands' largest mosque. Zafar Alam, a Birmingham Central Mosque trustee, was struck on the jaw by a worshipper during a prayer meeting on Friday. Trouble flared when Mr Alam tried to calm 70 year-old Saeed Shaikh who had interrupted prayers to shout abuse. It is thought the agitated man was upset about an article in a national newspaper which compared Muslims to dogs. Mosque chairman Dr Mohammed Naseem said that Mr Alam suffered a swollen jaw and had been left shocked by the incident. "He is a gentle man and probably won't press charges," said Dr Naseem. "But if he does, then of course we will support him." More than 4,000 worshippers watched in astonishment as the man stood up and started shouting during afternoon prayers. One onlooker said: "He was shouting in Urdu and English to the congregation and tried to accuse Dr Naseem and the management of some sort of betrayal. "The man started to interrogate the congregation, asking them if they had read the article comparing them to dogs. "He was worried that the mosque leaders weren't doing enough about things. Some of the trustees tried to contain the man and lead him outside but he refused. He disrupted everyone's prayers and a large crowd formed around him. "He continued to shout and when they tried to drag him out he hit a trustee on the jaw." Mr Shaikh last night confirmed that he had hit a man at the mosque but denied it had anything to do with concerns about racial tension. "I am unhappy about how the mosque is run, and about how Dr Naseem teaches Islam. But I am not unhappy about how Muslims are treated in this country." Mosque officials were meeting yesterday to decide whether to refer the incident to police. |
| Link |
| Europe |
| UK Muslim undies shop attacked |
| 2004-07-04 |
| Birminghamâs first Muslim lingerie shop has been targeted in a hate attack - for looking too much like a "porn parlour". Sisterâs Secrets in Balsall Heath was petrol-bombed just days after opening last week. The arrival of the store on Taunton Street has angered Muslim traditionalists who are suspicious about its blacked-out windows, alarmed door and suggestive name. Its strict women-only policy has also heightened fears that it could be an adult shop selling porn and sex toys. One local said last night: "I donât have a problem with a shop that sells underwear like Marks and Spencer. But this looks like a seedy porn parlour. A lot of local Muslims are upset because they canât see whatâs inside. Some women whoâve gone in say it sells very sexy underwear, lacy basques and thongs in all kinds of colours. One or two think that in itself is degrading to Muslim women." Birmingham Central Mosque, which does not object to the shop, confirmed it had been inundated with complaints. "We have received complaints that certain individuals believe the public may mistake the lingerie store for a sex shop because of how itâs portrayed," said a spokesman. "This may not reflect positively on the sisters who are visiting this store." Last night owner Umm Zakariah, 31, from Balsall Heath - a Muslim who wears the traditional veil and full-length gown in public - vowed the attack would not drive her out of business. "Weâre not sure exactly what was thrown because it happened in the middle of the night," she said. "But we think it was probably a petrol bomb. It was thrown at the shopâs sign which bears our name, Sisters Secrets. This makes us think that tradition-alists rather than younger folk were responsible. "It cost us £300 to put up a new one, this time with the name La Femme. Iâm still keeping the original name for marketing purposes, though." She vowed that the attack would not deter her from carrying on the lingerie trade. "The shop is for all women," she said. "Yes, itâs run by Muslims and most of our customers are Muslims but all women are welcome. Weâve had black and white women coming in to have a look. The windows are blacked out because we want to keep an air of mystery about whatâs inside. All Iâm doing is providing a much-needed service. My husband and I went to Syria recently and I wanted to buy some underwear but all the shops were run by men. In the ordinary underwear shops in Birmingham there are always male customers about. Most women choosing lingerie would prefer some privacy. And most would prefer to give their measurements to a female assistant rather than a man. A lot of women, most of them Muslim, have told us they love the shop." |
| Link |
| Britain | |||||
| Captain Hook gets 9 more months in the UK | |||||
| 2004-04-27 | |||||
| ABU HAMZA, the radical Muslim cleric who has been linked to five Islamic terrorist groups, has secured the right to stay in Britain for another nine months - in spite of the governmentâs attempts to deport him. The Special Immigration Appeals Commission yesterday postponed the hearing until 10 January, 2005, after several problems, including Mr Hamzaâs refusal to appear in court during the Muslim month of fasting in Ramadan. The delay came as several new details emerged about Mr Hamzaâs links to terrorist organisations in Britain and beyond, leading Muslim groups and MPs to unite in denouncing the delay in his hearing. Ian Burnett, QC, representing the Home Office, yesterday told a bomb-proof hearing room in London that the government can prove Mr Hamza offered "support and advice" to al-Qaeda before the terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001. There is also evidence linking the cleric to terrorist cells including the GIA in Algeria, the IAA in Yemen - where he is wanted on terrorist charges - and a Kashmiri terrorist group known as the HUA. But Mr Hamza was granted the nine-month extension after he refused to submit evidence in his defence and changed his solicitor. There has also been debate about whether he was entitled to up to £250,000 in legal aid.
| |||||
| Link |
| Europe | |||||
| Le Pen to campaign for British National Party | |||||
| 2004-04-25 | |||||
| French National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen is expected to back the British National Partyâs European election campaign today. Le Pen is due to speak at a press conference to launch the BNPâs campaign which is being held at a secret location in Manchester this afternoon. A heavy police presence is expected at the event after the Home Secretary David Blunkett warned Le Pen he would be arrested if he stirs up racial hatred during his visit to Britain. Following the press conference the National Front leader will attend a private dinner in Shropshire. The sell-out black-tie function, being held at an as yet undisclosed location, has been billed by the BNP as âthe patriotic dinner event of the year.â Anti-Le Pen protesters were planning a demonstration in Birminghamâs Victoria Square this afternoon to voice their anger at the Frenchmanâs association with the BNP. The demonstration is being organised by the Unite Against Fascism campaign group and has been backed by Birmingham Northfield MP Richard Burden, trade union groups and Muslim organisations. Dr Mohammad Naseem, chairman of Birmingham Central Mosque, said: âWe fought a war against the Nazis and we are now seeing Nazis invited to visit the region.
| |||||
| Link |
| Britain |
| Mosque dispute man dies |
| 2003-03-24 |
| A 30-year-old man has died a week after he was gunned down during a dispute between members of Europe's largest mosque, police have said. Shaham Ali lost his fight for life at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after being shot in the head in the Small Heath area of the city. West Midlands Police said two brothers charged of Mr Ali's attempted murder on March 17 may be facing fresh allegations. Sounds like the attempted murder is now successful murder... Mr Ali, a member of Birmingham Central Mosque from Acocks Green, had climbed out of a Honda Civic car in Waverley Road, Small Heath, to use a public telephone when he was hit by shots fired from a Volkswagen Golf which drew up nearby. Another occupant of the car and mosque member, Asmat Yaqub, 34, was hit in the shoulder by the same hail of bullets. Fellow members Mohammed Sharafit Khan, 30, of Fitters Mill Close, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, and his brother Mohammed Arshad Khan, 29, of Princess Road, Edgbaston, were last week charged with the attempted murder of Mr Ali and remanded in custody. Guess they showed them who's more devout... Mohammed Sharafit Khan is one of three men who has been charged with the false imprisonment of Shockat Lal, the secretary of the mosque, in a separate incident. Boy, I heard those rectory politix can be murder, but this seems a little extreme... But then, it's the Religion of Peace™, isn't it? |
| Link |