Events | 2009.06.18
Islamist group relaunch ends in chaos
An attempt to relaunch the controversial Islamist group Al-Muhajiroun ended in chaotic scenes after the management of the London venue that was to host the group\'s first meeting in five years cancelled proceedings, complaining "fundamentalist thugs" had tried to enforce the segregation of men and women.
Supporters of the group, which wants sharia law in Britain and has praised the 9/11 terrorists as the "Magnificent 19", were ordered to leave Conway Hall in Holborn on Wednesday night when it emerged that Al-Muhajiroun had placed bouncers on the doors and were not letting women into the main hall.
Speakers who had been invited to share a platform with Anjem Choudary, the group\'s leader, accused Al-Muhajiroun of inviting them under false pretences.
Douglas Murray, director of the Centre for Social Cohesion, said the platform of the planned debate was "completely unacceptable". "I\'m perfectly willing to debate Anjem Choudary and Al-Muhajiroun\'s ideas," he said. "His ideas are not difficult. They do not stand up. But it\'s very clear that this debate is not neutral. This was a segregated event, policed by Al-Muhajiroun\'s guards."
He said he had been invited to the event by a student society, Global Issues Society, but the Islamist group had hijacked proceedings.
Giles Enders, chairman of the South Place Ethical Society which runs the hall, took to the stage and explained that the terms and conditions of Conway Hall do not stipulate segregation. He then declared the meeting cancelled.
He was cheered by a small group of women sitting in the balcony, but was heckled by many of the 100 or so men in the main hall. Loud chanting and scuffles broke out before police arrived.
Choudary, who remained on stage during the scuffles and Enders\' announcement, then grabbed the microphone. He led chants and said in reference to the row over segregation: "Jews and Christians will never make peace with you until you either become like them or adopt their ways."
As the chanting continued, including loud calls of "sharia for UK", Enders wrested the microphone away from Choudary and ordered everyone to leave.
Outside, Choudary criticised British society as "dirty" and predicted that, within one or two decades, Muslims would make up the majority. Asked why, if society was so bad, he was living here, he said: "We come here to civilise people, get them to come out of the darkness and injustice into the beauty of Islam."
Al-Muhajiroun disbanded in 2004 but was succeeded by the Saviour Sect and Al-Ghurabaa, both of which were banned under the Terrorism Act 2006 for "the glorification" of terrorism. After the meeting there were calls for the government to ban Al-Muhajiroun.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jun/18[...]st-al-muhajiroun-meeting-chaos
