Is extremism growing in Britain due to Jamaat-e-Islami’s support of terrorism?

It is evident from the attack on Baroness Sayeeda Warsi on November 30, 2009 that the extremism and radicalism is growing among the young British Muslims whose ethnic background is from South Asia. The majority of British Muslims have condemned this silly behaviour which is against Islam from a religious point of view.

It is widely known that this behaviour is rooted in the theological background of a sect within Islam which started from Saudi Arabia by a name Salafi/Wahabi or with a slightly different outfit Deobandi in South Asian region. Their ideology does not prohibit suicide bombing or Terrorism in Islam rather they remain silent on this issue and indirectly encourage attacking even innocent people. This is evident from one of the largest Deobandi group in Pakistan which has been silent to condemn terrorism in Pakistan, as reported in The News on December 9, 2009.

It is very disappointing to see that Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has not supported to declare suicide bombing and Terrorism as un-Islamic. A point to note is that JI has large presence in Britain and for many years has been supported by Labour Government through their various groups including MCB, ISB or Young Muslims, see Guardian investigation which also links MCB with JI.

Declaring suicide bombing and terrorism un-Islamic has life threatening risks associated with it as it is evident from an incident not too long ago when Mr Sarfaraz Naeemi was killed soon after he had called it un-Islamic at a conference. A point to note here is that he was from a Sunni school of thought within Islam.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri was one of the first leading authorities to accept this risk and issued a 600-page Fatwa declaring suicide bombings and terrorism as un-Islamic at a press conference via video conference from Canada on December 5, 2009. This Fatwa is particularly important for Britain due to the fact that majority of the Muslims are from South Asia who have been confused about its religious viewpoint due to the fact that groups like Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) support it.

Particularly the vulnerable western youth has been the target by the extremists and due to their ideology. Hence, this verdict received large media attention particularly in Pakistan after months of instability, insecurity and terrorism and the press conference by Dr Qadri was transmitted Live on various TV channels and published in print media including The Washington Post and BBC.

The next British Government either Conservatives or Labour, must be aware of the fact that ideology within Islam has a major impact on the behaviour of British Muslims and that organisations linked to JI and other extremist organisations have not produced results to reduce extremism in the past. Hence they need to work with more moderate organisations and open-minded and dynamic leadership who has calibre to tackle extremism in Britain.

Growing extremist youth condemned for attacking Baroness Warsi

[04th December 2009]

LONDON. The small group of extremist Muslim youth in Luton who have recently attacked Baroness Warsi do not represent the moderate British Muslims and are condemned for their irresponsible action to attack Baroness Warsi.

Commenting on this incident, Shahid Mursaleen, media secretary of Minhaj-ul-Quran UK said that “Islam has not given any individual the right to assess who a better Muslim is and who isn’t and to behave in this way towards a female. The ignorance among the British youth is solely responsible for their actions in Luton.”

Minhaj-ul-Qur’an UK is fighting ignorance and extremism throughout the country to educate the Muslim youth about their faith and to bring the youth away from extremism. MQI UK is proud to live in a British society which allows freedom of expression but it is essential for the youth to stay act within their boundaries. The British Muslims and British youth hold Baroness Warsi in high esteem and are proud for her work to fight extremism.

Minhaj-ul-Quran UK believes that these events encourage the youth to become radical and believes that a Sufi orientated solution is essential to combat growing radicalism. The British government should take notice of such events which is another evidence that extremism is growing among the Muslim youth.

The founder of Minhaj-ul-Quran UK, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri believes that promoting moral development of youth and encouraging mutual understanding within Britain is the only way to combat the roots of extremism.