Defending the truth is likened to endorsing extremism

The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said that one of the signs of the advent of the Last Hour is that there will be ‘increase in falsehood and no concern to check reports’.This, according to the scholars, is one of the minor signs of the Last Hour. Coincidentally, the Scholars mention that all of the minor signs have come to pass and only the major ones are yet to materialise.

As the illegal bombardment in Gaza comes to a stealthy ‘cessation’, the so called proponents of morals and ethics here in the West continue to censure those who call for justice and fairness and who support the abandoned people of Palestine. It seems that anybody who shows support for those struggling to free themselves from oppression and injustices is ripe for slander by the media and false accusations.

Azad Ali is being accused of, along with other erroneous things, being an extremist. I known him for a number of years and seen him speak and write against injustices on both local and national issues. He has been serving the Muslim community and also the wider community in East London for many years and anyone who had any sort of acquaintance with him will find these allegations laughable, pathetic and completely untrue!

In the biased times we live in, it seems it’s always those who speak for the truth who are at the receiving end of the vindictiveness of the Islamophobes in the media and elsewhere. If he is being falsely attacked for merely defending the Palestinians and exercising his democratic right to criticise our government for its silence and inaction during the Gaza crisis, do they think that this will aid the on-going battle of rescuing Muslim youth from falling prey to extremism?!

Falsely attacking a person who works with the police and Muslim community organisations to help de-radicalise Muslim youth, and who has never promoted or inclined towards any sort of extreme ideas, may cause the already disaffected youth to loose hope in the great ‘British justice’.

A person with elementary education will discern the fabrication and lies concocted against him. One wonders why this mediocre assault is being waged against a respected member of the community, with whom both Muslims and non-Muslims alike have good relations. Do they want to silence the truth? Do they wish to instill fear and terror in the hearts of Muslims? Or have they just realised that they cannot push him back and forth like a puppet, as they can do with others?

The crux of the matter is the government wishes to silence the likes of Azad Ali, who speak for the vast majority of moderate Muslims in the UK, simply because they speak the truth and do not conform to their agenda. While on the other hand, it supports, funds and promotes those who have no credibility or integrity whatsoever in the Muslim community. One does question the intent of our government, is it to tackle extremism or to enforce a particular brand of Islam which will leave its adherents passive and inactive to speak out against injustices.

If the government is sincere in its efforts to eradicate extremism then it must: 1) stop supporting despotic rulers in the Middle East and elsewhere; 2) discontinue meddling in the affairs of sovereign countries; 3) cease turning a blind eye to Israel’s annexation of Palestinian land and its illegal collective punishments; 4) end the draconian laws that infringe British liberty and do nothing to make us safe; 5) stop supporting and funding self styled anti-terrorism ‘gurus’, and support those who have any chance of making a change; and 6) and finally strengthen ties with mainstream, Muslim grassroots organisations.

Finally, we urge all those who know Azad Ali personally and those who care for justice to support him. Write to the newspapers and complain about the distortions and lies. Highlight this issue with the leaders of your community and encourage them to support him in his time of need.