Not long ago a report in Britain criticized the British government for cozying up to “extremists” rather than to “moderate” Muslims. But this is another indication that it is not so easy in Britain to find a “moderate” leader. From Reuters:
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The United States barred a British Muslim leader from flying to New York from London on Thursday morning, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said.
The department’s Customs and Border Protection section would not elaborate on why Kamal Helbawy, 67, a founding member of the Muslim Association of Britain, was told by airline staff to get off his flight shortly before it was due to leave London.
“The individual was inadmissible to enter the U.S.,” said spokeswoman Kelly Klundt. “I can’t speak specifically to this case as to why he was inadmissible.”
Helbawy was due to speak on a panel on the Muslim Brotherhood, organized by the Center on Law and Security, an independent think tank based at New York University….
She said people could be denied entry for several reasons including improper travel documents, prohibited activities or intent, smuggling of contraband, criminal activity or history, immigration violations and watch list match or national security concerns.
“The U.S. government’s action in this case should not be construed as a blanket U.S. policy against Muslim religious leaders. Indeed hundreds of imams from all over the world have visited and continue to visit the United States,” Klundt said.