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Islamist Bakri Says Antiterror Measures "Gag" Opposition to UK's Foreign Policy

Posted on: Saturday, 6 August 2005, 06:00 CDT

Text of interview with Shaykh Umar Bakri, founder of the Islamic Al-Muhajirun group in Britain, from London, by Al-Jazeera presenter Jamal Rayyan in the Doha studio, broadcast live by Qatari Al- Jazeera satellite TV on 5 August

[Rayyan] Shaykh Umar Bakri, founder of the Islamic Al-Muhajirun group in Britain, joins us from London. Shaykh Umar, you have put Tony Blair and Saddam Husayn at the same level. Why? Are you being targeted?

[Bakri] The policy of gagging and fighting preachers and ulema who reject the hostile foreign policy which is against Muslim countries has now appeared in a new form, through strict laws which they want to hide behind, and as part of inciting religious hatred and violence. Concerning religious hatred, they want to undermine the doctrine of al-wala and al-bara [loyalty to God and the believers, dissociation from infidels]. As for the issue of violence, they want us to remain silent and not to support our mujahidin brothers in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Concerning what is called extremism, it is a war against the monotheism which we believe in. We have lived in this country for over 20 years and have not fought anyone, but are thankful for -

[Rayyan interrupts] Shaykh Bakri, amongst those living in Britain are people who are wanted by authorities in their countries and may be handed over. I will return to the same question, are you being targeted?

[Bakri] I am not targeted or wanted by any side, either in the Islamic nation or abroad.

[Rayyan] Not even in Syria?

[Bakri] I do not know if Syria has a security file; however, I do not have any activities in Syria that constitute grounds for being wanted in Syria. If we are asked to leave, then we will leave and will not be tried by their tyrannical earthly courts.

However, the truth is that we are not part of the problem Britain is suffering from. We are part of the solution because we have managed to control the Muslim youth for over 20 years despite all the turbulent events in Chechnya, Bosnia and other places. Not one of them carried out any operations. We consider ourselves to be living in safety and security in this country. Yes, it is my right as a Muslim -

[Rayyan interrupts] Shaykh Bakri, before generalizing, you were among those who criticized such measures. In return, Dr Zaki Badawi [British Muslim leader and head of the Muslim College in London] said if there is a need to remove the veils of women in Britain, then so be it. There are those who say that it is necessary to become integrated [into the society]. You are living in a society with certain customs, conventions, laws and procedures, which you must commit to. What is your view?

[Bakri] We live in this country. I do not call for integration or isolation. I call on Muslims to become active with their beliefs, religion and use wisdom and honourable teachings. However, there are turbulent events in Islamic countries. When we talk about the issue of Palestine or Iraq, they want us to say what the British foreign policy is saying. We will not become obedient tools in the hands of this regime. What is taking place in the Islamic world is a forewarning and it is our problem, because the problem of our nation is our problem. As for some Muslims in Britain who want to abandon some of their religious rites, then this is apostasy and I do not believe anyone listens to Zaki Badawi and the likes of him.

[Rayyan] There are those who say that the internet is one of the tools that will be suspended, because it has strengthened the wave of terrorism. Do you believe this method is useful?

[Bakri] When they speak of terrorism, they speak of true Islam which calls for a sense of honour, dignity and liberation from the foreign enemy. The issue of fighting the call of God, whether in Britain or Islamic countries, is the topic of the hour. It has become an international phenomenon and everyone is conspiring against Islam and Muslims. When the incidents in London took place, this changed the course of events. They assumed that they had come under attack by Muslims. I do not think that those who carried them out were encouraged or incited from within Britain, but were incited by Muslims abroad. I think that the message of Shaykh Ayman al- Zawahiri was clear and honest and must be taken into consideration.

We do not incite violence or killings or fighting by any individual in this country. We live here and will continue to do so without the policy of gagging, terrorizing Muslims or inciting the British community against these youths, preachers or ulema. I fear that they will take advantage of this situation to liquidate preachers who are wanted by their governments abroad, such as the righteous Shaykh Abu-Qatadah, Shaykh Abu-Hamzah or other ulema who are imprisoned. This is what we fear. However, concerning the poor slave [himself], I do not think there is a problem, unless they want to cause or create a problem against me.

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East

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