But Andrew, I’m a good boy!

Andrew Gilligan posted a piece on me on his blog last week. It was another attempt to portray IFE as an extremist Islamist organisation which aims to take over the world and establish Shariah. It goes without saying that  blog authors  on Between the Lines (BtL) are responsible for what they write and blogs which appear on BtL do not necessarily represent the views of  IFE, but this was completely missed by Andrew! After all Andrew is the guy who blames the IFE/LMC for speeches delivered by non IFE members, not invited by the IFE, speaking at a non IFE event.

Of course those who know IFE, know that the accusations levelled against it are absurd. Take for example Neil Jameson – the Executive Director of London Citizens – who spoke about the IFE in glowing terms on  Islam Channel. Neil can speak about IFE and what it really stands for because he has a working relationship with the  IFE. He knows its leaders and members and has seen its contribution to civic society. Neil and others like him, from the non Muslim community, will tell you the truth about IFE, NOT Andrew!

Andrew complains about Islamists misquoting others to give a misleading portrayal/impression, but he is the number one culprit! Take for example his attack on me, this is what he writes:

“here are the actual views of Abul Kalam, as written on the IFE’s official blog on 19 February last year. He’s not at all happy about the Government’s counter-extremism strategy, Contest 2, which disgracefully proposed to deny official funds to extremists:

“Concepts such as Jihad, Khilafah [caliphate, a global Islamic superstate], and Shariah are rooted in our tradition. That the open and unashamed practise and propagation of homosexuality is a sin is also an established Islamic fact…. One thing will become clear if Contest 2 becomes governmental policy: There will be no hiding space for Muslim sell-outs (his itals).”

Just the fellows to exercise growing power over a democratic, secular local council, I think!”

Let’s ignore for now that I was not alone in being critical of Contest 2, and take a closer look at Andrew’s underhanded tactic of misrepresentation. Firstly, this is my actual words:

Concepts such as Jihad, Khilafah, and Shariah are rooted in our tradition. That the open and unashamed practise and propagation of homosexuality is a sin is also an established Islamic fact.

Andrew, show me where I wrote “[caliphate, a global Islamic superstate]“? Plain answer, I didn’t! You see readers, Andrew wants you to believe that when I say Khilafah the words in parenthesis is what I mean, he wants you to think I mean a global Islamic superstate, because this will frighten you, make you feel I have a sinister aim to take over the world! The following is what I actually wrote, I’ll leave it to you to decide if Andrew’s additions in parenthesis are honest and reflective of my words:

“the source texts of Islam (The Quran and Sunnah) are in many cases silent about the details of governance and administration of a state or provide space for flexibility and Ijtihad. What is clear for all Muslims is that we do not believe in anarchy, that as human societies we need executive leadership and laws to govern our lives and that rulers are to be just and fair. As Muslims living in Britain our religion compels us to abide by the laws of the land, if we cannot do so we have no legitimacy to remain here. For Muslims living in Muslim majority countries, they too have a right to choose what system of governance they wish to live under, and if they choose Shariah, to create a federation of Muslims states, or a Union of Islamic Nations (not to dissimilar to the EU) who am I or you or anyone else to oppose them? A union of Muslim states governed by laws which bring about real benefit to people and ward off real harm is a good thing, is it not? If I was living in a Muslim majority country I would prefer that over the despots and tyrants currently in office!”

As to my comment regarding the open and unashamed practise and propagation of homosexuality, I wrote what I believe to be a fact according to Islam.  A fact I believe is shared by most Christian denominations as well as Orthodox Jews.

My blog argued that concepts such as Shariah, and Khilafah are intrinsic to our faith and tradition. Yes how one understands these concepts and what they mean for Muslims living as minorities,  are matters of discussion where differences of opinion and approach exists. But to deny these issues point blank, due to externally constructed definitions of Muslim belief, is dishonest and disingenuous. It is  in this context that my concluding line should be understood “One thing will become clear if Contest 2 becomes governmental policy: There will be no hiding space for Muslim sell-outs.”

Andrew, just to clarify, I do not exercise growing power over a democratic, secular local council, nor does the IFE. But what would be wrong if I did? I am promoting good citizenship and the politics of the common good. I am campaigning for justice and supporting community cohesion. I am keen to see young people achieve and stay away from extremism of all types. This is my country! I’m a good boy and I love fish and chips!