Responding to a HOPE not hate report out today, ‘Gateway to Terror’, which contains multiple revelations about hate leader Anjem Choudary and the al-Muhajiroun hate group, director of interfaith organisation Faith Matters (and Tell MAMA anti-Muslim hate crimes monitoring head) Fiyaz Mughal said:
“We welcome the launch of this excellent and comprehensive report from HOPE not hate. We have consistently called for action to be taken against Anjem Choudary and his hate group for many years.
When Anjem Choudhary and his group visited Edgware Road in London this summer, they were involved in whipping up anti-Shia hate leading to assault on two passers-by who were ‘assumed’ to be Shia. We within Faith Matters were instrumental in writing to the Borough Commander of Westminster MPS to help in making swift arrests and to try and work towards an anti-social behaviour order being placed on Choudary.
We are fully aware of the mindset that Choudhary and al-Muhajiroun try and create within some young Muslim men. They intimidate, inculcate and indoctrinate a sense of isolationism and an extreme moral superiority which means that these young men cannot mix with others from any other group or from other faiths. In essence, they become isolated by Choudhary and his followers. Just yesterday, outside the Excel Exhibition Centre, Choudhary and his people were providing literature and stickers to families who wanted a fun day out instead of being harassed by his group.
What is clear from the anti-Muslim prejudice that is reported in by members of the public, is that much of it is based on the perception of Muslims from EDL sympathisers. This is consistently fed by stories on the comments and actions of Anjem Choudhary. In effect, extremism from Anjem Choudhary feeds and maintains the hate and extreme intolerance towards all Muslims promoted by EDL sympathisers. Faith Matters has tackled the wide spectra of extremist narratives coming from both sides.”
Faith Matters has worked on numerous counter-extremism projects that have tackled the isolationist mindset that is the cornerstone which Anjem Choudhary and his group develop. From Derby, through Leicestershire, Birmingham and to South London, Faith Matters’ message has been simple and clear. Living as Muslims within a country where plurality is a strength and where faith has no superiority bar by good deeds to others. That is the essential message which is counter to the isolationist and divisory message of Al Muhajiroun.