Calls for peace over 9/11 mosque protest (From Harrow Times)

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Council calls for peace over 9/11 mosque protest

7:40am Wednesday 9th September 2009 in News Photograph of the Author By Jack Royston

HARROW politicians have issued a final appeal for calm as the community braces itself for one of its biggest challenges in decades.

Anti-Islam group Stop the Islamisation of Europe (SIOE) plans to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with a protest outside Harrow Central Mosque, in Station Road.

Members claim not to be racist but say Islamaphobia is “the height of common sense” and there are fears counter demonstrations by Unite Against Fascism could spark violent clashes.

Mosque leaders, who publicly denounce extremism of all kinds, say they feel targetted and worry the protest will disrupt the 200 to 300 people expected at Friday prayers.

In a joint statement Councillors David Ashton, Bill Stephenson and Chris Noyce, leaders of the Tory, Labour and Lib Dem groups, say Harrow does not tolerate extreme views, from people who want to justify violence or create division.

The statement reads: “We also know, and appreciate, that the Mosque is appealing to its congregation and all others to remain calm and show restraint whatever the provocation.

“The best outcome will be if we can all show a calm and united front.”

Cllr Stephenson added: “There's been nothing like this sort of thing before. When I first came to Harrow we had the National Front coming round with dogs, walking on front gardens and being quite aggressive but we fought that off.”

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Tony McNulty, MP for Harrow East, said: “It's about solidarity. The overriding theme has been that if someone wants to attack any of our Harrow communities then they attack all our communities and we stand as one.

“For the uninitiated and the ignorant there's been a Muslim community in Harrow for 25 years.”

Councillor Susan Hall, responsible for environment and community safety, said: “It's essential that we support all the mosques and all our Muslim residents.

“We stand firmly with them whatever happens on Friday. The protesters have to learn that this is a united community and nobody but nobody will be able to change that.

“We speak with one voice and that is tolerance.”

The Harrow Times is standing shoulder to shoulder with the mosque community and would like to issue its own appeal for calm.

Comments(5)

MINAB says...
3:12pm Wed 9 Sep 09

STATEMENT FROM THE MOSQUES & IMAMS NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD (MINAB)
“We strongly oppose the anti-Islam demonstration planned to take place outside the Harrow Mosque this Friday, September 11.
This protest is Islamophobic and a clear attempt by White extremists and supremacist to create disharmony and stir up racism and Islamophobia in a community where Muslims and other religions have lived together peacefully for years.
These White extremists are no different to Al-Qaeda inspired extremists – both are evil and stand against our values and way of life. We must root them out and their supporters to eliminate such extremists among our midst to create a just & fair society for everyone.
Muslims all over the UK in their prayers this Friday would be remembering the victims of September 11. These White extremists are showing massive disrespect to the friends and families of those murdered at the hands of Al-Qaeda criminals on 9/11. We condemn this protest which is planned to cause trouble and divide our communities.
Our deep concern is that the protests are likely to compromise the security of Muslims attending Friday prayers at their places of worship, and elsewhere in the UK. We strongly advise all Mosques and worshippers to be extremely vigilant during this Friday’s special prayers and report anything suspicious to their local police. We urge people to stay calm, to respect this Friday as a chance for peaceful commemoration, and above all not to play into the hands of these fascists.
We also call upon our security and police forces to be alert this Friday and do everything in their powers to protect the safety and security of Mosques, the worshippers and the dignity of our holy prayers”.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. MINAB was launched formally in May 2009. It is an independent body that brings together all the different denominations of UK’s Muslim communities to develop excellence in Mosques and Islamic Centres in order to help create a just and fair society for everyone.

2. MINAB held its first Annual General Meeting on 10 May 2009 at which 1000 Mosque representative gathered to elect a number of office holders and an Executive Board.

3. For further details please contact on MINAB Head Office on 0208 993 7141 or e-mail at: info@minab.org.uk or visit our website at: www.minab.org.uk

STATEMENT FROM THE MOSQUES & IMAMS NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD (MINAB) “We strongly oppose the anti-Islam demonstration planned to take place outside the Harrow Mosque this Friday, September 11. This protest is Islamophobic and a clear attempt by White extremists and supremacist to create disharmony and stir up racism and Islamophobia in a community where Muslims and other religions have lived together peacefully for years. These White extremists are no different to Al-Qaeda inspired extremists – both are evil and stand against our values and way of life. We must root them out and their supporters to eliminate such extremists among our midst to create a just & fair society for everyone. Muslims all over the UK in their prayers this Friday would be remembering the victims of September 11. These White extremists are showing massive disrespect to the friends and families of those murdered at the hands of Al-Qaeda criminals on 9/11. We condemn this protest which is planned to cause trouble and divide our communities. Our deep concern is that the protests are likely to compromise the security of Muslims attending Friday prayers at their places of worship, and elsewhere in the UK. We strongly advise all Mosques and worshippers to be extremely vigilant during this Friday’s special prayers and report anything suspicious to their local police. We urge people to stay calm, to respect this Friday as a chance for peaceful commemoration, and above all not to play into the hands of these fascists. We also call upon our security and police forces to be alert this Friday and do everything in their powers to protect the safety and security of Mosques, the worshippers and the dignity of our holy prayers”. NOTES TO EDITORS 1. MINAB was launched formally in May 2009. It is an independent body that brings together all the different denominations of UK’s Muslim communities to develop excellence in Mosques and Islamic Centres in order to help create a just and fair society for everyone. 2. MINAB held its first Annual General Meeting on 10 May 2009 at which 1000 Mosque representative gathered to elect a number of office holders and an Executive Board. 3. For further details please contact on MINAB Head Office on 0208 993 7141 or e-mail at: info@minab.org.uk or visit our website at: www.minab.org.uk MINAB