------------------------------------------------- Islamic Human Rights Commission -------------------------------------------------
20 March 2006 Action Alert: Protestors to wear T-shirts with Muhammad Cartoons at Rally this Saturday IHRC urges all campaigners to contact the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor's office to request that they uphold the law and prohibit demonstrators from carrying Islamophobic placards and t-shirts at a 'March for Free Expression' this Saturday 25 March 2006. 1. Background A 'March for Free Expression' is to take place this Saturday 25 March 2006 in Trafalgar Square between 2 and 4 pm. The official purpose of the demonstration is stated to be to support freedom of expression but in reality, it appears to be virulently Islamophobic and racist in nature. The organisers, Peter Risden and Patrick Vidaud, have permitted demonstrators to wear t-shirts bearing the offensive cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and even supply a link on their website to another website where such t-shirts can be purchased. Furthermore, slogans which are being debated to be written on placards include, 'Islam, putting the world at war', 'Islam is a blast', Muhammad was a Sex Offender' and 'Death to Iran'. It is noteworthy that Muslim demonstrators were arrested earlier this month for carrying placards deemed offensive. In addition, Nick Cohen, in an article in the Observer on 19 March labelled Muslims who demonstrated against the cartoons as "the brown far right" and "Islamic fundamentalists" demonizing all Muslims as Nazis and fascists when it is actually Muslims who are the current victims of this neo-fascism. Although ostensibly the organisers have stated that the BNP are not welcome, there is much evidence to indicate that many elements of the Far Right will be present on the day. For example, a fascist group 'Civil Liberty', which is lead by BNP North-East organiser Kevin Scott, has issued a call on its website for its supporters to attend the march. It is worrying that an event that appeals to the Islamophobic right is also supported by amongst others British Humanist Association, Ekllesia (a Christian monitoring group), the National Secular Society, UKIP, and Peter Tatchell. This event will set a dangerous precedent will be set whereby Islamophobic groups can use the issue of civil liberties as an excuse to demonise Muslims and Islam. This is not free speech or debate; this is vilification akin to the demonisation of Jews in Nazi Germany. For more information about the march, its organisers and supporters, please visit http://marchforfreeexpression.blogspot.com/ 2. Suggested Action Earlier this month, Muslim demonstrators were arrested for carrying offensive and provocative placards protesting the publication of the cartoons. IHRC is asking campaigners to contact the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor's Office and ask that the law be implemented equally and that any demonstrators holding offensive and provocative placards and t-shirts be similarly arrested. Sir Ian Blair Chief Commissioner of Metropolitan Police New Scotland Yard Broadway London SW1H 0BG [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please also contact the Mayor's Office to make him aware that this demonstration is not about freedom of expression but vilification and hatred of Islam and Muslims. It is unthinkable that demonstrators would ever be given permission to use Trafalgar Square to display anti-Semitic or racist caricatures and rightly so. This seems to be further evidence that Muslims have become second-class citizens in Britain today. Ken Livingstone Mayor of London Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen's Walk More London London SE1 2AA Telephone: 020 7983 4100 Fax: 020 7983 4057 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] IHRC urges campaigners to write their own letters. Sample letters are pasted below for your convenience. Please CC all letters to [EMAIL PROTECTED] so we can keep track of the number of complaints lodged. [Your Name] [Your Address] [Date] Sir Ian Blair Chief Commissioner of Metropolitan Police New Scotland Yard Broadway London SW1H 0BG Dear Mr. Blair: RE: Islamophobic Demonstration on 25 March 2006 I am writing with deep concern about the forthcoming 'March for Free Expression' in Trafalgar Square on 25 March 2006. Although I have no issue with the march itself taking place, I am very worried about the nature of the march and the level of Islamophobia it will fuel. The organisers have permitted demonstrators to wear t-shirts bearing the offensive cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and even supply a link on their website to another website where such t-shirts can be purchased. Furthermore, slogans which are being debated to be written on placards include, 'Islam, putting the world at war', 'Islam is a blast', 'Muhammad was a sex offender' and 'Death to Iran'. My concern is that this march will be very provocative and disturb the peace as it will promote Islamophobia and racism. Many elements of the Far Right will be present on the day, including 'Civil Liberty', a fascist group lead by BNP North-East organiser Kevin Scott. Other supporting groups include the British Humanist Association, Third Way Magazine, the National Secular Society, UKIP, and Peter Tatchell. In light of the recent arrests of Muslim demonstrators for carrying offensive provocative placards, I think the police should implement the law equally and not allow such offences to be committed by any demonstrators. If demonstrators carry banners and t-shirts with cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on Saturday, they should be similarly arrested. Otherwise, the perception will remain that Muslims are mere second-class citizens in Britain. For more information about the march, its organisers and supporters, please visit http://marchforfreeexpression.blogspot.com/ I look forward to hearing from you soon about this urgent matter. Yours Sincerely, ___________________ [Your Name] [Your Name] [Your Address] [Date] Ken Livingstone Mayor of London Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen's Walk More London London SE1 2AA Dear Mr. Linvingstone: RE: Islamophobic Demonstration on 25 March 2006 I am writing with deep concern about the forthcoming 'March for Free Expression' in Trafalgar Square on 25 March 2006. Although I have no issue with the march itself taking place, I am very worried about the nature of the march and the level of Islamophobia it will fuel. The organisers have permitted demonstrators to wear t-shirts bearing the offensive cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and even supply a link on their website to another website where such t-shirts can be purchased. Furthermore, slogans which are being debated to be written on placards include, 'Islam, putting the world at war', 'Islam is a blast', 'Muhammad was a sex offender' and 'Death to Iran'. My concern is that this march will be very provocative and disturb the peace as it will promote Islamophobia and racism. Many elements of the Far Right will be present on the day, including 'Civil Liberty', a fascist group lead by BNP North-East organiser Kevin Scott. Other supporting groups include the British Humanist Association, Third Way Magazine, the National Secular Society, UKIP, and Peter Tatchell. In light of the recent arrests of Muslim demonstrators for carrying offensive provocative placards, I think the police should implement the law equally and not allow such offences to be committed by any demonstrators. If demonstrators carry banners and t-shirts with cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on Saturday, they should be similarly arrested. Otherwise, the perception will remain that Muslims are mere second-class citizens in Britain. I am also appalled that Trafalgar Square will be used as an arena where such virulent Islamophobia and racism can be propagated. I do not believe that a demonstration at which protestors would hold placards and wear t-shirts with racist or anti-Semitic caricatures would ever be granted permission, and rightly so. Why is there a different law for Muslims? For more information about the march, its organisers and supporters, please visit http://marchforfreeexpression.blogspot.com/ I look forward to hearing from you soon about this urgent matter. Yours Sincerely, ___________________ [Your Name] Islamic Human Rights Commission PO Box 598 Wembley HA9 7XH United Kingdom Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222 Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.ihrc.org ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/TXWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> *************************************************************************** {Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125) {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33) The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise. If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest". Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islamcity/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
