Anjem Choudary - A Danger to Our SocietyThis is slightly off the usual subject of policing but there is a link and I think it is a subject worth covering.
Muslim extremists are planning to march through Wootton Bassett, the town that has become synonymous with our war dead returning from Afghanistan. They plan to march through the town with coffins, to represent over 100,000 Muslims who they claim have died in the conflict. The idea is abhorrent to most people and there have been calls to ban the march and there is a risk that there may be a counter demonstrations leading to violence.
The organiser of the march is Anjem Choudary, a Muslim born in this country but clearly radicalised. He is well known to the police and secret service and is an obvious danger to the society we wish to live in. He is a follower of Omar Bakri Muhammed, a Syrian, who sought shelter here and lived in London for 20 years. In 2005 he fled to the Lebanon concerned that the British Government were considering charges of treason against him. I am pleased to say, he was told he was not welcome back in this country. Choudary has written an open letter to the families of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan to justify his actions.
There are a number of important issues here. We must remember that the vast majority of Muslims are law abiding contributors to our society and are embarrassed by the radical views of some zealots that follow their religion. Some Muslim groups have spoken out against the proposed march.
We live in a society where men have fought and died for the right of free speech and freedom to demonstrate. Our laws are largely, although not wholly, built on this premise. We should not stop Mr Choudary’s march taking place. The irony is that if Choudary lived in the society he wishes us to and criticised that society in the way that he does ours; he would very quickly disappear never to be seen again. If Mr Choudary wishes to live in such a society I would ask that he finds one that suits and goes there. The vast majority of people have no wish for it here.
If he promulgates violence against non believers then he should be thrown in gaol. Perhaps he might flee to the Lebanon.
The people of Wootton Bassett came together of their own volition to line the streets and show respect to the British soldier’s bodies that are flown back to this country to nearby RAF Lyneham before they pass through the town on their way to their families.
If the proposed march goes ahead, the people of Wootton Bassett should show their contempt. Instead of turning out as they do to respect the British soldiers they should clear the streets, put down the shop blinds and shut their doors. A march through a ghost town with a small police escort will make this publicity stunt the non event it should be.
