Good dhimmi! Useful dhimmi! “Muslim leaders back Livingstone as mayor,” by Riazat Butt in The Guardian (thanks to James):
Prominent Muslim organisations and individuals have pledged to back Ken Livingstone as mayor of London, saying it is in the “best interest” of Muslims to vote for him in this year’s elections on May 1.
A statement, published today in full on the Guardian’s website, praises Livingstone for his continued support of a multicultural society and for protecting Muslim communities against racism and Islamophobia.
The 63 signatories include Mohammed Ali, the chief executive of the Islam Channel, which claims to have an audience of millions, Professor Tariq Ramadan and Dilwar Hussain from the London Muslim Centre, part of the East London Mosque.
They said: “His stands and policies have constantly championed justice in the Middle East … freedom for the Palestinians and withdrawal of occupying troops from Iraq; a rare trait of modern-day public figures. He has enhanced London’s standing in the world and helped improve the lives of all of the city’s communities.
“We pledge to continue our support for the mayor on all levels possible in order to secure his staying in office for a third term.”
Ihtisham Hibatullah from the British Muslim Initiative, which organised the statement, said Livingstone was doing more to help Muslim communities than other mayoral candidates. “He supports religious freedom. He’s committed to developing skills of alienated communities and he’s doing great work on social cohesion. These signatories are major players; they have reach and come the elections there will be a huge mobilisation of the Muslim vote.”