Middlesbrough Muslims condemn proposed Islam4UK march

World Saturday, January 9th, 2010

MUSLIM leaders in Middlesbrough have condemned a proposed march by a extremist Islamist group.

As reported, Islam4UK plan to demonstrate in the Wiltshire town of Wootton Bassett – famous for coming to a standstill each time the body of a British soldier killed in action is driven through on his or her final journey home from RAF Lyneham.

Their proposal to march through Wootton Bassett carrying coffins to represent Muslims killed by coalition forces has caused widespread public anger.

The secretary of the Islamic Society of Cleveland, Barbir Noor, is concerned that Choudary’s plans could have a negative impact on the whole of the British Muslim community – he and others propose to write a letter to Choudary asking him to call off the march.

Mr Noor said: “The approach and the agenda of this group are not acceptable and do not make for a cohesive society or enhance Islam in any way shape or form.

“It also has a ripple effect, people read the headlines in the paper and are left with a negative connotation of what Islam is truly about.”

Idrees Rashid of Middlesbrough’s Black Minority Ethnic Network, is also appalled by Choudary’s thinking.

He said: “Like other Britons, Muslims are not opposed to Britain’s Armed Forces.

“Indeed, Muslims have made a deep and historic contribution to the defence of this nation, with over 2.5 million serving in the First and Second World Wars.

There are also concerns the march will play into the hands of the far right, with groups like the BNP looking to take an opportunity to provoke racial disharmony.

A date for the march has yet to be fixed, and if one is scheduled the Home Secretary has indicated he would support a police or local government request to ban it under the Public Order Act.

Short URL: http://www.daily.pk/?p=14358