Apparently we are supposed to believe that if we do not resist the jihad, the jihad will go away. “Muslim groups warn of radical backlash,” from the Guardian, with thanks to DC Watson:
A coalition of Muslim leaders today warned that closing mosques deemed extremist and banning radical Islamic groups could fuel a radical sub-culture in Britain.
Nearly 40 signatories, including the Islamic Human Rights Commission and the Muslim Association of Britain, said new measures outlined by the prime minister could lead to Islamic values being “demonised”.
The leaders jointly issued a six-point statement in response to the government’s response to last month’s London bombings.
It said: “We fear that recent events are being exploited by some sections in society to demonise legitimate Islamic values and beliefs and hence consider it appropriate to make the following observations.”
The statement criticised the use of the term extremism, which it said had no tangible legal meaning and was unhelpful.
Indeed. They should use the term “jihad” instead.
The joint statement argued that the right of people to resist invasion and occupation was legitimate and said that questioning the legitimacy of Israeli occupation was also valid political expression.
What about wanting to establish the caliphate in the West, replacing Britain’s political system with Islamic law? Is that legitimate political expression?
The leaders also criticised the decision to ban the group Hizb ur-Tahrir, which is outlawed in Germany, and which Mr Blair specifically stated he intended to proscribe.
A proposal to ban the group was described as “unwarranted, unjust and unwise” and any disagreement with a political organisation should be expressed through debate, not censorship, the leaders wrote.
The statement, co-signed by Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, read: “If it is suggested that any laws have been broken by any individuals or groups then this must be proven by due legal process.
“Criminalising the mere possession of certain opinions is the hallmark of dictatorships, not democracies.”
The closure of mosques accused of “fomenting extremism” would amount to a collective punishment of the community, the statement warned.
How? I thought the community overwhelmingly rejected the jihad ideology. That’s what Blair and Prince Charles and so many others have assured us, no?
It may “create fear” which could lead to “the very radical sub-culture which we all seek to prevent”.
Finally, the Muslim leaders said plans to deport foreign nationals to countries known for human rights abuses was “abhorrent”….
On issuing today’s statement, Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said: “The British Muslim community has always been a law-abiding community and all its endeavours to create a just society have been entirely peaceful.
“However, we will not allow the demonising, devaluing or targeting of the concept of Islam which will we hold very dear.”
ADDENDUM: Here is the text of their statement.