The Hindu : International : Battle for Muslim vote in Britain takes an ugly turn

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 22, 2005

International

International

Battle for Muslim vote in Britain takes an ugly turn

Hasan Suroor

Extremist group condemns forum's stand

INTERRUPTING PROCEEDINGS: Protesters raise slogans at a press conference held by the Muslim Council of Great Britain at the central Mosque in London on Tuesday. — Photo: AP

LONDON: The battle for Britain's one-million strong Muslim vote ahead of next month's general election is facing disruption from an extremist group which claims that it is "un-Islamic'' to vote for "kafirs'' (non-believers).

Activists of the self-styled "Saviour Sect'' caused a mini riot when they stormed a meeting of the pro-Labour Muslim Council of Great Britain in a central London mosque on Tuesday, accusing it of "selling out'' to the Government and warning Muslims that they would burn in "hell fire forever'' if they took part in the elections.

The protesters, some of whom wore masks, called the Council a "mouthpiece of the British Government of Tony Blair and George Bush.'' As the meeting, which had been called by the Council to "educate'' Muslim voters, descended in chaos, police were called in and one man was arrested for allegedly causing criminal damage.

The Council chairman, Iqbal Sacraine, who was abused by protesters, retorted: "This is shame on Islam.'' A leaflet distributed by demonstrators said: "Voting for any political party ... .will take you outside the fold of Islam.'' Mr. Sacraine said they represented a tiny minority and the vast majority of Muslims were moderate and "determined'' to take part in the democratic processes.

"It is important to every member of the Muslim community who is eligible to vote to get out and vote on May 5,'' he said. The Council issued a list of 10 questions which Muslim voters must ask candidates before making up their minds.

Tough fight

In another incident, members of the same group tried to disrupt the election campaign in a predominantly Muslim constituency in East London where the sitting Labour MP, Oona King, is facing a tough fight from her former party colleague George Golloway, contesting on an anti-war platform. Police intervened after Mr. Galloway alleged that he was intimidated by Muslim "fundamentalists.'' They reportedly "gheraoed'' Mr. Galloway saying they were "setting up the gallows'' for him. They also warned Muslim voters that they faced a "death sentence'' if they voted in the elections.

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