Poisonous Preachers
Living in our midst are people who would, if they could, use violence to impose their religious beliefs on the rest of society.
One such man is Anjem Choudary who exercises his right to freedom of speech all the time while freely admitting that this right would be outlawed in a country where Islamist or Sharia law prevailed.
But what Anjem wants to outlaw goes an awful lot further than the odd cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad, of course, because the extremist version of Islam that Choudary represents would ban a whole barrowload of other things as well, of course.
In the so-called Islamic State, for example, much admired by the poisonous Choudary and his followers, men of violence have murdered Christians, non-believers and other Muslims as 'apostates', taking women and children as their slaves in a throwback to the Dark Ages and medieval times.
Consider for a moment what Choudary and his ilk would outlaw in this country, if they could:
- Father Ted
- Monty Python and The Life of Brian
- 'Friends' - for portraying young women as equal with men
- Mrs Brown's Boys - for allowing a man to dress up as a woman
- Masterchef - unless everyone agreed to cook only with Halal food
- Come Dancing - unless all the women were married and agreed to wear Burkhas
Another of these vile Islamist hate clerics, Abu Hamza, has just been handed a life sentence by a court in New York, for encouraging and inciting terrorism, so I like to think that justice will catch up with Anjem Choudary in the end.
Anjem Choudary on the Charlie Hebdo attacks: 'Muslims do not believe in the concept of freedom of expression'
In the aftermath of yesterday's terrorist attack, the radical cleric wrote an open letter saying that Muslims don't believe in free speech
BY HELEN NIANIAS - The Independent
After yesterday's Paris shooting, in which four journalists on satirical publication Charlie Hebdo were killed, Muslim activist Anjem Choudary has written an open letter entitled 'People Know The Consequences'.
In the letter, which was published by USA Today, Choudary says: "Contrary to popular misconception, Islam does not mean peace but rather means submission to the commands of Allah alone. Therefore, Muslims do not believe in the concept of freedom of expression, as their speech and actions are determined by divine revelation and not based on people's desires."
He adds: "Although Muslims may not agree about the idea of freedom of expression, even non-Muslims who espouse it say it comes with responsibilities. In an increasingly unstable and insecure world, the potential consequences of insulting the Messenger Muhammad are known to Muslims and non-Muslims alike."
The post asks: "Why did France allow the tabloid to provoke Muslims?" and Choudary adds: "Western governments are content to sacrifice liberties and freedoms when being complicit to torture and rendition — or when restricting the freedom of movement of Muslims, under the guise of protecting national security."
He Tweeted:
After yesterday's Paris shooting, in which four journalists on satirical publication Charlie Hebdo were killed, Muslim activist Anjem Choudary has written an open letter entitled 'People Know The Consequences'.
In the letter, which was published by USA Today, Choudary says: "Contrary to popular misconception, Islam does not mean peace but rather means submission to the commands of Allah alone. Therefore, Muslims do not believe in the concept of freedom of expression, as their speech and actions are determined by divine revelation and not based on people's desires."
He adds: "Although Muslims may not agree about the idea of freedom of expression, even non-Muslims who espouse it say it comes with responsibilities. In an increasingly unstable and insecure world, the potential consequences of insulting the Messenger Muhammad are known to Muslims and non-Muslims alike."
The post asks: "Why did France allow the tabloid to provoke Muslims?" and Choudary adds: "Western governments are content to sacrifice liberties and freedoms when being complicit to torture and rendition — or when restricting the freedom of movement of Muslims, under the guise of protecting national security."
He Tweeted:
If freedom of expression can be sacrificed for criminalising incitement &hatred, Why not for insulting the Prophet of Allah? #ParisShooting— Anjem Choudary (@anjemchoudary) January 7, 2015
Freedom of expression does not extend to insulting the Prophets of Allah, whatever your views on the events in Paris today! #ParisShooting— Anjem Choudary (@anjemchoudary) January 7, 2015
Anjem Choudary, centre, in 2010This is not the first time Choudary has stoked controversy. Last year, it was revealed that he held a network dubbed the "gateway to terror". He also lauded the terrorists responsible for 9/11 as "magnificent martyrs".
Jihadseeker's Allowance (26 September 2014)
I don't have any problem with the BBC's Today programme debating issues with hate-filled Jihadist allowance seekers like Anjem Choudary - in fact I think there should be more of it and more Muslim voices invited to explain why this man does not represent the views of Muslims in the UK.
BBC's Today programme criticised for giving airtime to radical cleric
Anjem Choudary declined to condemn killers of soldier Lee Rigby during debate on Radio 4 show
By Josh Halliday - The Guardian
Anjem Choudary, former leader of the proscribed group al-Muhajiroun. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA
The BBC is under fire for inviting the radical cleric Anjem Choudary on to a Radio 4 Today programme debate about the murder of the soldier Lee Rigby.
The corporation was accused of lending a platform to a "hateful extremist" when it featured Choudary alongside Lord Carlile in a discussion about radicalisation, following the conviction on Thursday of Rigby's killers Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale.
The debate triggered strong criticism on Twitter, including from the Independent columnist Owen Jones, who said: "Why do media keep giving a platform to Anjem Choudary, a hateful extremist who doesn't speak for British Muslims, other than to troll us?"
The Jewish Chronicle editor, Stephen Pollard, said: "Really, what is the point of giving an attention-seeking maniac like Choudary the one thing he wants – attention?"
The BBC has faced criticism in the past for inviting Choudary, a former leader of the proscribed group al-Muhajiroun, on to its topical discussion programmes.
Both Adebolajo, 29, and Adebowale, 22, had ties to al-Muhajiroun and were frequently seen at its demonstrations in London. Adebowale was seen at a al-Muhajiroun-linked demonstration outside the US embassy as recently as September 2012.
The Metropolitan police has said it monitors Choudary's public comments for potential breaches of the law.
When asked by the Today presenter John Humphrys whether he condemned the killings, Choudary said: "I think that to talk about condemnation or to talk about how we feel is not the most important question now, and I'm not going to go down that road. I think that what is important is to learn lessons from what has taken place.
"Whether you agree or disagree with what took place, you cannot predict the actions of one individual among a population of 60 million when the government is clearly at war in Muslim countries. I condemn those who have caused what has taken place on the streets of London, and I believe that the cause of this is David Cameron and his foreign policy."
Carlile, the government's former anti-terrorism adviser, told the programme: "Mr Choudary is a demagogue, he doesn't like the United Kingdom, he doesn't believe in democracy. He wouldn't be allowed to say what he has said in almost any other country in the world, including Muslim countries.
"I think he is an outrageously bad influence on young Muslims in this country. I think he offends the law-abiding Muslim community that is proud to be British and I think we now need to hear much more from the Muslim community – particularly from young leaders in the Muslim community – about how they condemn his actions.
Imran Awan, a criminologist and expert on terrorism and extremism, said: "My view is that it's almost like a continuous narrative – I'm not sure if it's to do with piquing their audience – but I think he fuels everything that is anti-British. In a way many people believe he is one of the key links to radicalising young people and, if he is one of those people, it is giving him the oxygen of publicity he so badly craves."
Awan, a lecturer at Birmingham City University, said he felt uncomfortable with Choudary using the collective "we" in his interview. "That I found uncomfortable because it implies he's talking for us, myself as a Muslim and the law-abiding Muslim community. He doesn't speak for myself or the law-abiding Muslim community."
He added: "As a Muslim and as a criminologist the whole idea is trying to counter the extremist narrative and you can genuinely do that – but inviting people like him on the show all you do is give him a platform."
Referring to a separate story about two students who were forced to cover up clothing featuring a cartoon depiction of the prophet Muhammad, the broadcaster Samira Ahmed said on Twitter: "UK's free speech confusion: LSE apologises over clamping down on T-shirts followed by Anjem Choudary happily stirring thing ups few mins later."
A BBC spokeswoman said: "We have given great consideration to our reporting of the Woolwich murder and the subsequent trial, and carried a wide range of views from across the political and religious spectrums. We have a responsibility to both report on the story and try to shed light on why it happened."
"We believe it is important to reflect the fact that such opinions exist and feel that Choudary's comments may offer some insight into how this crime came about. His views were robustly challenged by both the presenter, John Humphrys and by Lord Carlile, the government's former anti-terrorism adviser."
Jihadseeker's Allowance (26 September 2014)
Anjem Choudary is one of nine men arrested by the Metropolitan Police as part of the ongoing battle against Islamist terror groups.
But wouldn't it be great if we had some joined up government in this country by switching off this ridiculous little man's access to welfare benefits because while it's not the biggest issue in the world, the fact is public money is being used to help this self-appointed preacher spread his message of hate.
Presumably that's one welfare reform that everyone at Westminster can agree upon.
Dark Ages Debate (21 December 2013)
I don't have any problem with the BBC's Today programme debating issues with hate-filled Jihadist allowance seekers like Anjem Choudary - in fact I think there should be more of it and more Muslim voices invited to explain why this man does not represent the views of Muslims in the UK.
I am not a religious person in anyway, but I have lots of family and friends who do possess religious beliefs - so live and let live, I say.
My only 'red line' with religion is that it should be kept separate from the state and be denied the power to control people's lives - as it has in Christian countries down the ages (until relatively recently) and as Islam does in certain Muslim countries, where religious and other secular minorities continue to be persecuted ruthlessly.
So more the more discussion the better as far as I'm concerned - because Anjem Choudary and his ilk have been hiding in the dark all the years, as far as the wider public is concerned, and its high time their views were challenged by the mainstream media - and not just by the Daily Mail.
Anjem Choudary declined to condemn killers of soldier Lee Rigby during debate on Radio 4 show
By Josh Halliday - The Guardian
Anjem Choudary, former leader of the proscribed group al-Muhajiroun. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA
The BBC is under fire for inviting the radical cleric Anjem Choudary on to a Radio 4 Today programme debate about the murder of the soldier Lee Rigby.
The corporation was accused of lending a platform to a "hateful extremist" when it featured Choudary alongside Lord Carlile in a discussion about radicalisation, following the conviction on Thursday of Rigby's killers Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale.
The debate triggered strong criticism on Twitter, including from the Independent columnist Owen Jones, who said: "Why do media keep giving a platform to Anjem Choudary, a hateful extremist who doesn't speak for British Muslims, other than to troll us?"
The Jewish Chronicle editor, Stephen Pollard, said: "Really, what is the point of giving an attention-seeking maniac like Choudary the one thing he wants – attention?"
The BBC has faced criticism in the past for inviting Choudary, a former leader of the proscribed group al-Muhajiroun, on to its topical discussion programmes.
Both Adebolajo, 29, and Adebowale, 22, had ties to al-Muhajiroun and were frequently seen at its demonstrations in London. Adebowale was seen at a al-Muhajiroun-linked demonstration outside the US embassy as recently as September 2012.
The Metropolitan police has said it monitors Choudary's public comments for potential breaches of the law.
When asked by the Today presenter John Humphrys whether he condemned the killings, Choudary said: "I think that to talk about condemnation or to talk about how we feel is not the most important question now, and I'm not going to go down that road. I think that what is important is to learn lessons from what has taken place.
"Whether you agree or disagree with what took place, you cannot predict the actions of one individual among a population of 60 million when the government is clearly at war in Muslim countries. I condemn those who have caused what has taken place on the streets of London, and I believe that the cause of this is David Cameron and his foreign policy."
Carlile, the government's former anti-terrorism adviser, told the programme: "Mr Choudary is a demagogue, he doesn't like the United Kingdom, he doesn't believe in democracy. He wouldn't be allowed to say what he has said in almost any other country in the world, including Muslim countries.
"I think he is an outrageously bad influence on young Muslims in this country. I think he offends the law-abiding Muslim community that is proud to be British and I think we now need to hear much more from the Muslim community – particularly from young leaders in the Muslim community – about how they condemn his actions.
Imran Awan, a criminologist and expert on terrorism and extremism, said: "My view is that it's almost like a continuous narrative – I'm not sure if it's to do with piquing their audience – but I think he fuels everything that is anti-British. In a way many people believe he is one of the key links to radicalising young people and, if he is one of those people, it is giving him the oxygen of publicity he so badly craves."
Awan, a lecturer at Birmingham City University, said he felt uncomfortable with Choudary using the collective "we" in his interview. "That I found uncomfortable because it implies he's talking for us, myself as a Muslim and the law-abiding Muslim community. He doesn't speak for myself or the law-abiding Muslim community."
He added: "As a Muslim and as a criminologist the whole idea is trying to counter the extremist narrative and you can genuinely do that – but inviting people like him on the show all you do is give him a platform."
Referring to a separate story about two students who were forced to cover up clothing featuring a cartoon depiction of the prophet Muhammad, the broadcaster Samira Ahmed said on Twitter: "UK's free speech confusion: LSE apologises over clamping down on T-shirts followed by Anjem Choudary happily stirring thing ups few mins later."
A BBC spokeswoman said: "We have given great consideration to our reporting of the Woolwich murder and the subsequent trial, and carried a wide range of views from across the political and religious spectrums. We have a responsibility to both report on the story and try to shed light on why it happened."
"We believe it is important to reflect the fact that such opinions exist and feel that Choudary's comments may offer some insight into how this crime came about. His views were robustly challenged by both the presenter, John Humphrys and by Lord Carlile, the government's former anti-terrorism adviser."
