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August 15, 2006

UK: Muslim Politicians Criticize Islamic Holidays, Sharia Law Plans

We discussed earlier today the suggestions of Dr Syed Aziz Pasha, of the Union of Muslim Organisations of the UK & Ireland (UMO), who had called for Islamic bank holidays and also for sharia to be introduced into "family law" as a means of "combatting extremism". Pasha had been speaking at a meeting held between Ruth Kelly, UK Communities Minister, and "leaders" of the Muslim community.

Pasha's call for sharia law in Britain was conveniently ignored by the BBC, the Khaleej Times, and the Guardian, who did not report on any of Pasha's statements. The media outlets which did report his calls for sharia were the Independent, and also the Daily Mail.

Surprisingly, Syed Aziz Pasha (pictured below) was a recipient of an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the 2005 New Years Honours List, for his services to race relations. He founded the UNO in 1970, when it had 38 member organisations. Now it has at least 215 member organisations and 80 donor members.

He said when he received his award: "I am glad that the UMO's contribution towards improving relations between faith and race groups has been recognised. The award is for the Muslim community as the UMO represents the whole Muslim community."

UMO is based in West London, at 109 Campden Hill Rd, Kensington W8 7TL ( Tel: +44 020 7221 6608),

Pasha is not an opponent of terrorism in a classical sense. The Muslim News reported on comments he made about Britain's anti-terrorism legislation, the Terrorism Act 2006. The legislation had recently become law.

Pasha had attended a meeting on April 18 this year, to celebrate the birthday of the "prophet" Mohammed. Fiona Mactaggart, a Home Office Minister, had told guests that anti-terror legislation was meant to "make us safer" and she said the clause outlawing the glorification of terrorism "does not prevent reasonable speeches."

Muslim News stated: "But Pasha said anti terror legislation was targeted at the Muslims and the new addition of glorification would prevent them from speaking about jihad as this would be considered as terrorism."

But Pasha's suggestion that introducing Islamic Bank Holidays and also introducing sharia as a blackmail to persuade the government to act in the false belief that such measures would have any bearing on extremism (which he obviously supports), have been met with anger and derision.

The Daily Mail reports that even the press agent of the Islamic mafia at the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) distanced himself from the statements calling for sharia law.

Inayat Bunglawala had said: "We believe one legal code should apply for all citizens of the UK. There is no place for multiple legal systems for people of different religious or ethnic backgrounds. If people object to a certain law they should campaign peacefully and democratically for a change - but only so that it applies to all people, not just Muslims.'

But some of the comments from the Mail's readers are refreshing:

"If Sharia law is so important to these people then maybe it should be suggested they reside in countries where Sharia law is practiced like Saudia Arabia. That would surely solve their problems," Tracey Koop

"When Saudia Arabia permits the celebration of Christmas and Easter, and permits Christians to consume Sacramental wine, then we in the UK will consider permitting Islamic celebrations of similar significance. Fair?" Stephen Brown

"Muslim bank holidays are the least of our worries - there were also calls at the meeting for the introduction of sharia law to settle Muslim family disputes. Any such development would be a disaster for Muslim women, who are devalued by sharia. It must not be permitted to happen. Britian should hold fast to its principle that everyone is equal under the law - and not sharia law." Terry Sanderson

But it is not only members of the public who have expressed their outrage at Pasha's suggestions. Muslim politicians too have argued against them, according to Life Style Extra.

Three Muslim members for parliament condemned the statement. Shahid Malik, Labour MP for Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, the region where Mohammed Sidique Khan, one of the 7/7 bombers came from, said: "In principle it's an idea that sounds like it could work, but in practise would be a nightmare. I think there is sufficient flexibility within labour laws to allow employees to take holidays whenever they want to celebrate the various Muslim holidays. It would prove to be counter-productive."

On Pasha's sharia calls, Malik said: "Anything which complies with British law would be fine, but where Sharia law and British law are at odds then British law should have primacy because we are in Britain. If people really want Sharia law there are places where they can get Sharia law. Family law is one area where the two could work together, but in terms of criminal law we are not in the business of chopping people's hands off or executing people in this country."

Khalid Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr and a genuine "moderate" said: "You can't have a festival just for the Muslims and forget about the Sikhs, the Hindus and the Jews. It becomes very difficult to manage that."

He continued: "I think this is people making statements which are not constructive. if they want to do something they have got to work with the grass roots of the country and forget about issues like this."

On Pasha's calls for sharia, Mahmood said: "Sharia law can't apply in the UK because we are not in an Islamic state, that's a basic fundamental."

Mohammed Sarwar, Labour MP for Glasgow Central, said: "There is no easy solution to these problems, but if we start bringing in holidays just for Muslims then the Sikhs, Hindus and all other religions will want the same. I don't know how many holidays we can afford in this country."

This afternoon, the three MPs had met the deputy prime minister, John Prescott, to discuss the present situation. The ninety minute meeting had covered, according to Khalid Mahmood "everything under the sun".

Mahmood was the only Muslim MP who refused to sign the open letter which attempted to blackmail the government to change its foreign policy to prevent further terrorism.

The BBC covered this story, in a piece entitled "Muslims 'in denial' on extremism". But though it quoted from Messrs Sawar, Malik and Mahmood, it deliberately excised any mention of Syed Aziz Pasha OBE's call for sharia laws. Perhaps the article should have been named "BBC 'in denial' on extremism".

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at August 15, 2006 5:21 PM

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Posted by: DP111 at August 15, 2006 6:12 PM

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