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Harrow Mosque 'sad' about far-right 9/11 protest

4:24pm Thursday 20th August 2009 in


A HARROW mosque leader says he is “sad” about plans for a 9/11 far-right protest outside its building.

A statement on the website of the far-right coalition the British Defence Leagues says the English Defence League (EDF) has organised a demonstration in front of the building, in Station Road, on September 11, and plans to make it a memorial event for the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The event will take place on a Friday, the Islamic holy day.

Ghulam Rabbani, general secretary of the mosque, said: “We also believe that September 11 wasn't right. Everybody is allowed to pray but if we come to know that groups are extremist and they are trying to say something which is not right we don't let them.

“We try our best to tell people that this is not the way. Everyone is equal in front of Allah. Everyone has the right to pray and at the end of the day we must all be friends.”

He added: “We have a policy of anti-extremism. If people have something against us, they probably don't know us.

“If you are Christian or Muslim we can still be friends. We hope the local community and our friends and the local government and police will be there to try seriously to defend everybody.”

Members of EDL clashed with anti-fascist campaigners in Birmingham on August 10 with police in riot gear struggling to control the situation.

Officer made 35 arrests.

The original protest outside Harrow Central Mosque was organised for August 29 on the back of claims there were plans to hold Sharia court meetings in its new building.

Mr Rabbani says there are no such plans but a statement British Defence Leagues' website says they do not believe him and do not “want any more mosques in this country”.

The statement reads: “It has now been rescheduled to September 11th, which is a Friday, but will incorporate a 9/11 anniversary commemoration. This is now being organised by the EDL.”

Mr Rabbani said: “We have worked very hard with the local government and the local police to keep community cohesion and partnership.

“All of the community can live together peacefully. Most of the community is happy with us. This group is coming from outside.

“They might have some members in the community but by the look of it the local community is pretty happy with us.”

Comments(11)

marshall31162 says...
2:16am Fri 21 Aug 09

Sorry this article is incorrect. The organisers of this 9/11 demo are SIOE Mr Gash not EDL or anybody else. Police have agreed with SIOE to demo. So where you get your information from is beyond me. You dont seem to check any facts. SIOE is also organising a big demo in Denmark on 29 August 2009.

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marshall31162 says...
2:20am Fri 21 Aug 09

You also reported another demo organised by a Mr Bill Baker. Who is Bill Baker, not attached to any organisation so how was he organising a demo. I think you need to be careful what you print.

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vladimirval says...
1:49am Sat 22 Aug 09

To pray to God for enlightenment, help, and to be a better person is admirable. But those that pray for strength to compel others to submit or enslave them or kill them are not fellow brothers and sisters of humanity. Rallying against murders of innocents (men, women, and children) is the duty of every good person. The protest is against the mentality of those that expect the world to submit to an unenlightened belief.

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leon gramsci says...
10:42am Mon 24 Aug 09

It is outragious that the fascists and racists threaten the peace loving, multi-cultural, multi- racial and multi-religious community of Harrow.

The Harrow Mosque had no involvement with the horrendous events of Sept 11. The attempt to make a false link is pure racism and Islamaphobic. It is a provocation.

The denial of a Sharia court by the mosque is also conveniantly ignored by these bigots. By the way such a court is similar to the role of the Beth Din in Judaism or Christian ecclesiastical churches. It is about resolving local, domestic civil , family and community issues. Such a court is not above the legal system of this country or a replacement of it.

The fascists and racists are only interested in dividing communities, using fear, ignorance and intolerance as their weapons.

To arrange this march on a Friday, during the holy month of Ramadan, in front of the mosque is unacceptable to all of us.

This is not just an attack on Muslims, but on Jews, Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and all other minority groups in Harrow. There march will be opposed by all including local trade unionists, residents, community groups etc. The fascist and racist groups are not welcome in our Harrow.

Perhaps the local press should also be pointing this out instead of giving oxygen to this throwback to the 1930's Nazis of Hitler and Mosley.

There can be no room for fascists in Harrow or elsewhere.

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Bill Baker says...
5:10pm Wed 26 Aug 09

But the fascists have said they are attending or didnt you see the article about the UAF attending? The recent incidents of UAF attacks on local communities in Codnor and their blatant attacks on police officers who are only going about their duty in tryiing to control any potential confrontation is fascism at its worst.

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leon gramsci says...
2:40pm Mon 31 Aug 09

Is this the same Bill Baker who said "Bill Baker (London) wrote
at 3:43pm on July 14th, 2009
These scum and those that follow them blindly have to cheek to call nationalists nazi's but they are committing electorial fraud and throwing things at people legally elected. It is now confirmed that you can throw eggs at Mp's as it is not an arrestable offence as seen by the attack on the BNP Euro members. I cant wait to get close to GOrdon brown as I am going to hard boil my **** and use a catapult ;"p
Report: United Against UAF
http://www.facebook.
com/topic.php?uid=86
44741474&topic=15159

This is a fascist pro BNP site so we now know who he really is.
We in Harrow wont be lectured on violence by those who are responsible for violent threats.
Bill you should at least be honest about who you represent and not pretend.

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a.s786 says...
5:36pm Sat 5 Sep 09

This protest by anti islamists shows the insecurity that many people are going through. I agree that their are many extremist leaders out there, however theres a reason behind everything..without proof Islam and Muslims were blamed for 9/11 attacks and they still are. If you leave Islam and Muslims alone, then I doubt anything would happen. Many people blame others however they do not realise that their own actions may have caused anothers. This protest is about extremist views on Jihad, which many people dont realise that Jihad is about the inner struggle. It happens within.
But I am really happy to know that there are non muslims out there that are supporting us at this time :)

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Faith_99 says...
2:07pm Thu 10 Sep 09

It’s awfully disturbing to witness people twisting matters for their own misguided ends. How anyone can possibly connect the criminal actions of a few to an entire community is beyond my understanding. I take issue with all those who put even the slightest blame for the 9/11 incidents on the Muslims as a community, just because the culprits may have been Muslims. When the IRA were terrorising Britain I do not remember anyone pointing the finger of blame and responsibility on the Catholic communities; and rightly so. We, as a fair minded people need to consider how long the Muslims have lived in this country? Decades. How often were they the culprits of civil disturbances? Fair minded people need to come together to combat the elements in our society that incite and encourage disharmony in our communities for a brighter future for all. I pray that The Almighty guides us all to be just, as we would want Him to be Just to us.

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uzaman901 says...
3:41pm Thu 10 Sep 09

"Life for life, eye for eye, nose or nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal." But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself.

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uzaman901 says...
3:42pm Thu 10 Sep 09

Exactly what are they demonstrating against? There are no Shariah courts at the mosque, there are absolutely no links to Sept 11th? What do the BNP, EDL, SIOE think? That they'll win a few more seats and then hey-presto they'll start affecting policy?

Muslims contribute £30 billion to the British economy each year...and these thugs want what? It was repatriation of ethnics at one point...now its what? Stopping mosques being built...what a joke...

The fact is EU treaty obligations has affected the labour and migration in this country thus affecting the demography of the country, all developed countries in fact. Some more than others. BNP getting into power won't solve a thing...its ludicrous to think it...so whereever these hidden supporters of the BNP are, you're thinking emotively. Step back....its not the Brown man with the beard that's the problem, its actually rich little and large white men who'd like a unified economy, and a free market....hell I'm all for BNP if they give me a few hundred K's to 'repatriate'...thoug
h I was born and bred in this country, love it, honour and would defend it...I am a hardcore Muslim, but I wouldn't like it so much if the fascists get their way...

There is a verse in the Quran which states: ""Life for life, eye for eye, nose or nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal." But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. "Life for life, eye for eye, nose or nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal." But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself."

I pray Muslims and the rest of those who will stand against these thugs behave honourably in spite of the dishonour, remain patient in the face of impatience, have wisdom in the face of ignorance. Ameen.

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a313 says...
11:28pm Thu 10 Sep 09

bismilallah insaallah ALLAH will defeat thoses how try 2 harm this peacefull din if they want it we will give it 2 them and we r willing 2 die 4 our cause

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