This article was not written by Hassan or Habibah, and is not fully endorsed by us, however we feel it has some important points to make.
New Labour "Muslim" MP's, and the art of Spin.
It appears Muslims have learnt the art of spin (deception) from the
Labour Party. The dishonesty and deceit of some leaders in the Muslim community
knows no bounds it seems. This is a a harsh allegation against the
plethora of organisations that seek to represent and influence Muslim
opinion.
mainstream Muslim organisations to the news that the governments
attempts to increase pre charge detention to 90 days was defeated.
The reality is that the 90 day extension was always unlikely to succeed
and was a negotiating position but Blair became convinced he could pull
off the impossible as he did with the war on Iraq. Home office hawks
were always more concerned about the "jewels in the crown", the new
offences of encouragement of terrorism [i.e. glorification],
dissemination of terrorist publications, acts preparatory to terrorism,
terrorist training and the broader powers to proscribe organisations. We
should bear in mind that these offences are not limited to activities
taking place in the green fields of England but anywhere on the globe.
In any event the pre charge period was extended to 28 days - double the
current 14 days which itself had only been extended from 7 days around a
year ago. There is little evidence to suppose that that the security
services will be in mourning about the so called defeat for very long
,irrespective of the Downing Street spin put out in the tabloid press
and the Sun in particular. The reduction to 28 days amounted to an
obscene compromise and not a successful outcome as declared by Muslim
organisations and websites. Any of the 49 rebels and other opposition
parties could have tabled a shorter period but did not do so.
Where for instance were George Galloway an experienced commons man and
someone admired by Muslims, or indeed the hero of the 90 day rebellion,
but otherwise new labour loyalist, Mr. Khan. In fact the story of these
individuals and the three other Pakistani MPs (wrongly described as
"Muslim MP's") makes for a tale of despair and subterfuge. George was
absent on a commercial venture on the day of the most crucial vote
regarding the most poisonous part of the Terrorism Bill - perhaps in
disgust at its ferocity and oppressive nature. The Pakistani MPs like
all wannabe poodles attend when commanded, all voted in favour without
any hesitation and against sensible amendments from the real Labour
rebels and opposition.
The new offences that they all supported to a man will cast a long and
harrowing shadow over the whole Muslim community if they remain
unscathed by the House of Lords. They will be used to prosecute Babar
Ahmed if he escapes the extradition net sprung on him by the government
and many more who ventured near an adventure playground or participated
in a paintballing exercise. Despite this shocking and unanimous show of
tribal allegiance and rebuff to the calls of ethnic solidarity when it
mattered most, we saw the Muslim cheerleaders for one hail him a hero
(Sadiq Khan MP) and demanded prayers on his behalf when he joined the
herd of 49 labour rebels. They castigated the other three when they
were only marginally more loyal to the new Labour colours and overlooked
the stark fact that the "gang of four" have been nothing but ardent
Blairites. Apart from endorsement of the worst parts of the Terrorism
Bill , they blessed the disgraceful ID Bill and were all remarkably
silent on the issues of the Belmarsh detainees ,Guantanemo Bay and the
collusion with the CIA in relation to the practice of extraordinary
renditions i.e. state kidnapping and torture of Muslim suspects. There
was no outrage from Muslim organisations. No fury when one of the gang
of four Pakistani MPs proudly boasted of his referral to the police of
terrorist suspects in his constituency - curiously there was no
newsflash regarding a high profile arrest in Dewsbury following this
remarkable admission - perhaps unique in Parliamentary history. Another
would appear so smitten with an Islamic group that he finds time in
amongst bland and banal local matters to query Ministers of both the
Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary about their (HT) activities. One
wonders whether these entries into Hansard are an attempt to signal
agreement with his leader Blair that Hizb ut Tahrir is as a big threat
to civilisation as bird flu and also that they should be proscribed.
The other MP to ask remarkably similarly phrased questions in the past
has been Andrew Dismore, it would appear that the baton has been deftly
passed by him to a more concerned colleague.
All rather strange behaviour when we consider this activity took place
during Ramadan and the photo opportunities and media interviews in the
earthquake devasted areas of Pakistan. It is possible to surmise that
the two young Turks (Khan and Malik) have no desire to await ministerial
anointment like their two hapless but longer serving countrymen , but
are fast streaming themselves into the good book of Blairism. All facts
ascertainable from the parliamentary record, yet ignored by the Muslim
organisations that were emailing messages of support for one and
condemnation of others. A case of dishonesty by the so called champions
of Muslims and surely the most criminally misleading press release by
any news outlet ever - maybe a time for Blairs favourite Muslim MP to
wean himself off his posterior to call m'learned friends.
The truth is there are no heroes in the tales of Westminster, only
opportunists.
The 90 day issue was a red herring, the main issue of the glorification
offence has been criticised from former Law Lords down to tabloid
journalists because it is incomprehensible. It is so broadly crafted
that read together with the amendment to the definition of terrorism it
captures any political dissent that is unacceptable to new Labour and
the causes it supports. The most obvious are Israel, despotic
governments in the Muslim world and the war in Iraq. The purpose of the
law is not necessarily to prosecute radical preachers or Muslim
activists but to shut down debate and strengthen the climate of fear
that has been carefully created. The fear of the police knocking down
doors in the middle of the night is a potent weapon against those who
dare to speak up for liberation struggles and resistance to the war on
Islam. The outcome that the Government expects is self censorship not
mass prosecutions. There may be the odd high profile arrest, detention
and deportation but the main thrust of the strategy is to stifle debate
and Muslim outcry against state terror. So far the tactic has worked in
ensuring that even without testing the prosecution case many suspects
are convicted in the court of public opinion before any trial. As was
vividly illustrated in the non ricin case, acquittal at trial is no
longer a sufficient safeguard. The defendants are now awaiting
deportation under immigration rules despite their asylum seekers status
and that they are not guilty of any ricin linked offence. They are to be
removed to places which top the table of countries that torture and
murder political dissidents. So called "Muslim" parliamentarians have
taken a vow of silence on these matters - Lord Ahmed aside it must be
said - the gang of four are more troubled by the need for prayer and
ablution facilities at the palace of Westminster. Again the vocal Muslim
groups are absent from the radar screen and do not question the absurd
priorities .
What is shocking therefore is the extent of collusion between the
mainstream Muslim groups, the Muslim press and the Pakistani MPs. It is
sadly reminiscent of their country of origin - the adulation of
individuals who fail to succeed outside of politics and the deliberate
manipulatation of the truth to support one politician as against another
in return for grace and favours. Outside of the Pakistani contingent the
silence surrounding Galloway may be influenced by his successful use of
the libel laws .On the other hand it could be another outbreak of the
Muslim disease of being in awe of anything Western - be it Gemima Khan
or a Californian Sufi.
In the era of misinformation and propaganda we expect a mature, truthful
and fair assessment of the reality facing Muslims in the UK from Muslim
groups or the handful of Muslim rags. In recent weeks we have witnessed
a dishonest account or no account at all of the performance of the MPs
closest to the Muslim community. The juvenile and delusional rantings
of a public affairs website managed out of a teenagers bedroom may have
surprisingly captured the appropriate sentiment but the wrong targets.
We cannot be surprised by New Labours treachery or even of the duplicity
of its "Muslim" MPs - the real betrayal is by the Muslim groups who are
not honest about their relationships and contacts with them.
Mr I.M.A.Mugg
Chairperson
ISLAM IS NOT A LIFESTYLE.