A Muslim group that wants to open a giant £100 million mosque in London has
set its sights on “winning the whole of Britain to Islam”.
Tablighi Jamaat aims to build an Islamic complex near to the site of the 2012
Olympic stadium, with a mosque for 12,000 people, by far the largest
religious building in Britain.
The organisation, which has millions of followers worldwide, insists that it
is a peaceful, apolitical revivalist movement that promotes Islamic
consciousness among individual Muslims. However, intelligence agencies have
cautioned that the group’s ability to fire young men with a zeal for Islam
acts as a staging post, for some, along a path that leads to jihadist
terrorism.
Kafeel Ahmed, the Indian doctor who died from burns last month after trying to
set off a car bomb at Glasgow Airport, is the latest in a line of terrorists
for whose initial radicalisation Tablighi Jamaat has been blamed. The group
(literally, the preaching party) belongs to the ultra-conservative Deobandi
school of thought within Sunni Islam, whose adherents run more than 600 of
Britain’s 1,350 mosques.
In recent days The Times has exposed the virulently anti-Western creed of some
British Deobandis who preach that non-Muslims are an evil and corrupting
influence. Their defensive, isolationist approach to life in Britain is
shared by many British supporters of Tablighi Jamaat.
One leading advocate, Ebrahim Rangooni, has said that the movement seeks to
“rescue the ummah [the global Muslim community] from the culture and
civilisation of the Jews, the Christians and [other] enemies of Islam”. Its
aim, he wrote, is to “create such hatred for their ways as human beings have
for urine and excreta”.
Mr Rangooni has also given warning to parents that non-Muslim schools “turn
humans into animals” and that sending a Muslim child to a British college
“is as dangerous as throwing them into hell with your own hands”.
Representatives of Tablighi Jamaat refused to attend a public meeting on
Friday to discuss plans for the “mega mosque” in West Ham, even though
the debate was organised by a Muslim group.
Tablighi Jamaat was founded in 1926, in India, by a Deobandi scholar, Muhammad
Ilyas, who wanted to raise Islamic awareness among rural Muslims in south
Asia. He promised them that by obeying Islamic laws and following the
example of the Prophet Muhammad in their personal lives they would one day
“dominate over non-believers” and become “masters of everything on this
earth”.
Ishaq Patel, Tablighi Jamaat’s first amir (leader) in Britain, is said to have
been on pilgrimage in Mecca when Ilyas’s successor gave him a long-term
mission to win “the whole of Britain to Islam”.
Yoginder Sikand, a Muslim expert on the movement, says that its ethos of
“social and cultural separatism and insularity” seeks “to minimise contacts
with people of other faiths”.
The self-segregation that this encourages is evident in Dewsbury, West
Yorkshire, where the group has its European headquarters. The Tablighi
Jamaat complex – housing its large Markazi mosque and a Deobandi seminary
called the Islamic Institute of Education - is based in the Savile Town
area, which has an 88 per cent Asian population. The overwhelming majority
of its 5,000 residents are Muslims from Pakistan or the Gujarat region of
India and some, at home and at work, have little contact with nonMuslims.
It was on the advice of a Tablighi Jamaat scholar that Aishah Azmi, a Dewsbury
teaching assistant, refused to remove her full-face veil in the class-room
while helping young children who were learning to speak English.
Mr Sikand says: “There is little doubt that the sense of cultural separatism
and heightened [Islamic] identity consciousness fostered by Tablighi Jamaat
can be taken advantage of by more assertive Islamist groups that have a more
explicit political agenda.”
One of the suicide bombers who attacked London in July 2005, Shehzad Tanweer,
studied at the Deobandi seminary in Dewsbury and Mohammad Sidique Khan, the
leader of the 7/7 terror plot, was a regular worshipper at the adjoining
mosque. Richard Reid, the shoe bomber, was said to have been influenced by
Tablighi Jamaat, several of whose adherents were also among those arrested
last year over an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic airliners.
Shabbir Daji, a trustee and secretary of the Tablighi Jamaat mosque in
Dewsbury, told The Times that the movement’s aim was “unity among all
humanity”. He said that it had no hidden agenda. “We never come out on
demonstrations against the Government,” he said. “Our aim is to make each
and everyone . . . a better Muslim.”
More than 250,000 people have signed a Downing Street petition against the
London mosque. Local opposition is being led by Alan Craig, a Christian
Peoples Alliance member of Newham council. He accuses Tablight Jamaat of
being “a separatist sect that preaches a them-and-us approach to relations
with the nonMuslim community” and encourages the creation of “Islamic
enclaves” in Britain.
“There are many moderate Muslims who object to the teachings of Tablighi
Jamaat. They know that it preaches hostility to non-Muslims. Some have
friends and family members who have been radicalised by this movement.”
Irfan al Alawi, international director of the Centre for Islamic Pluralism,
says the missionary work of Tablighi Jamaat acts as “a recruitment agency
for jihad” in Afghanistan, the occupied territories and Iraq. “They go
around deprived areas of British towns and cities, knocking on doors and
urging young Muslims to come to their gatherings,” he said.
“The mega-mosque complex would become a flagship for Tablighi Jamaat’s mission
to indoctrinate Muslims with a hatred of the West and the kuffar
[non-Mulims].”
Tabligh Jamaat is expected to submit a formal planning application for the
West Ham mosque before the end of the year.
Don't let tablighi jamaat build this Mosque or else Brittian will be sorry.
Hafeez, Pakistan,
there is good and bad in all, whatever colour.but when another faith is telling you you should not have a nativity play or celabrate xmas its the last straw,i am an englishmen in england not brtish english and proud of it my dad thought so he fought for this country ww2,rule britannia,enough said.
steven, manchester, ENLAND
There seem to be a lot of Muslims writing here claiming that Tablighi Jammat, and Islam in general, is being misrepresented etc etc. Sorry, but when you subscribe to a religion that permits the deceit of Infidels to further the cause, you've just got no credibility. And the West is waking up fast.
ADB, Melbourne , Australia
Yes we should learn from India and let them become so seperate from the rest of the society, which such a large amount of power, that they eventually tear off the corner of our country for themselves and make it into one of the most dangerous parts of the world.
Mark Morley, Leeds, England
i am nahin hossain from bangladesh
think that it is not good for britain peoples to think from bad side. think always positive like wise people that islam is always talk against the violence. prophet mohammad(sm)was send from allah twala as massenger of peace for the menkind and he always teach his followers to be cool and helpful for mankind not for destructive. at the time of prophet the non muslims were converted to right way by his attitude and behavior not dawat at all.
so dont think that the london mosque will harmful for people rather it will the blessing for men so it should be passed.
i am student of noter dame college that is authorized by the father but i did my all work very well and our people are not against them but why the britains' peoples are doing like that.
because as great nation london should accept this proposal and it will make good relation between muslim and non muslims
saad, dhaka, bangladesh
I am sensitive to the British island mentality and natural xenophobia, but this is not an invasion, muslims have been invited to work here. In addition Britain may wish to learn from truly multicultural societies like India, Egypt and the U.A.E.
I am all in favour of us muslims integrating into western society, so much of western society is rooted in islamic principles - but muslims will decide for themselves how they choose to do this.
Ismail Miller, Stirling, Scotland
i'm English, and I would like to know why we have to put up with these people invading and threatening our country and our people?
Andy, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
Ferdauose, this is a Christian country. Yes, there are problems with our society, which I happen to think has a lot to do with the breakdown of traditional families and the welfare state spoon feeding people so they become lazy and not able to appreciate anything they own as they have not had to work for it. We have our own Christian values which I agree over time have been disregarded but mosques are not the answer. I for one will not be converting to islam. We do need to have a more informed view of islam instead of the usual terrorist/fanatic but however many mosques are built, or muslim centres opened, this is and always will be a Christian Country.
alison, hertfordshire,
I am a young teenage muslim girl who has been living in the UK all my life, ever since i was born all i have seen is the British media humiliating ISLAM and giving the wrong impression about islam, all they ever say is that muslims are terrorists, muslims are bad, they never bring up the truth about islam which is, islam is a religion of peace, love and care, they say muslims are terrorists in fact terrorism was created by foreign policy. Mosques have proved to be the lifeline of their communities, a haven for the impressionable young who otherwise would be experiencing London life, which increasingly is becoming a troubled and turbalant lifestyle where gun crime is at its highest, drug abuse is common and under age pregnancies are the highest in Europe. You do the Maths? why would you oppose the mosque which would certainely get mainy youths off the streets. I suggest that you read the right books that talk about islam and the value of mosques in islam and what they are used for.
Ferdaouse Barhdadi, London, United Kingdom
I am not a Muslim / Islamist. However, I do have lots of exposure in Middle Eastern countries, Indonesia and Malaysia. Islamist are not bad people as the Westerners believe or as projected by competing media to increase viewership for commercial purposes. I think it is reasonable to say, the media should play a responsible role in defusing the world crisis after the cold war. We Westerners should learn to listen to both sides of the story and not accept simply what the black box in each house has to tell us.
Ramsfield, Munich, Germany
This country is was built on christian judao laws and still has achristian majority, so why should the british tax payer have to fund this mosque?plans for this mosque should not be allowed to be passed,so come on all you tax payers stop this mosque from being built. ian, staffordshire.
IAN BANNER, LEEK, staffordshire
I feel that it is a shame why many westerners are so afraid of islam....yet no body in Britian is forced to accept a religion....what the Tabligh Jamaat intends is of course no different to what any religion wants (MORE FOLLOWERS) and if the teaching of such jammat were so reserved and created such hatred towards christians and jews then one is unable to justify why islam has the largest numbers of reverts many of which are jews and christains.
maria khan, london, united kingdom
Clearly this is 'multi-culturalism' gone too far?!!As a country we have altered our political stance and acceptance in the last 70 years, to gladly open our doors and welcome people with open arms, from many different walks of life. However, it has always been us who have had to adjust, never the Muslims. Surely faith requires a two way somewhat degree of respect and tolerance, which in turn has not been shown here.Tax payers funding this mosque is ridiculous, and not something that the British will let happen without a fight.
Emma, Hereford, UK
I have just come back from abroad and saw the artticle about Tablig Jamaat - I am really surprised that a prominent news paper like you have got the total facts wrong.. Not only that but people who have given their comments do not know anything about Tablig Jamaat.
Tablig Jamaat is non political, non jihadist and a peaceful organisation - I am not a full time member of the Jamaat but have been attending their functions and indeed I have gone in the path of Allah several times in the last 43 Years and not once have I heard them talk about the comments you have made. Indeed I have written a book IN THE PATH OF ALLAH - can be obtained on the internet - this book gives what Tablig Jamaat is and what its aims are.
I think this movement needs a proper and CORRECT media coverage.
Ibrahim Okhai, Dundee, Angus
In the islamic world the tableeghi jamaat is accused of not been jihadist and not encouraging political islam. In the times newspapers its been accused of radicallising.
No wonder the tableeghi jamaat is the largest and most misunderstood movement.
For the times , the tableghi jamaat has stood to its principle of non violent activities. It is non political and non jihadist.
Its a peaceful movment aimed only at muslims. It very rarely preaches to non muslims unlike many christian organisations.
Adam, UK,
Are leaders of the Tablighi Jamaat sect able to stipulate the fact that they will embrace and hold sacred ALL faiths ( incliding Bahai ) and encourage open-ness amongst their followers - at the same time as giving firm assurances that women will not be subjugated in any way shape or form ?
Graham, London, UK
A £100 million of tax payers money to fund religious beliefs that I don't believe in. Why not spend the money on real stuff?
I've been waiting 18 months to get my painful wisdom tooth out, it would probably only cost £2K but I can't get the NHS to do it (I think its because they don't have enough resources / money).
Is there anyway of opting out of religious tax contributions if I'm a non-believer, so that I can use that money on something that would be useful for me?
Ian, manchester, uk
The Tablighi Jamaat's central mosque is currently near West Ham station, and every Thursday, they have a talk by a scholar and then dinner and a general mingle afterwards. Although I'm not a member of the sect, when I was living in London I used to go there occasionally. Because I used to go there on my own and didn't go in a clique, I was forced to meet new people every week. Never once, either in the talks or whilst chatting to people in the mingle, did I come across any hostile, fundamentalist or terroristic sentiments against the west. They never preached anything but the principle of da'wa (calling people, both Muslim and non-Muslim, to Islam) and self-purification.
They do not radicalize young Muslims - they make them better, more practising Muslims. It is other groups who poison the minds of young Muslims and lead them towards violence.
These guys are the least political and violent sect of Islam that I have across. To blame them for preaching hatred is totally unfair.
Basil Waheedi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
guys, you shouldn't forget that it's not all muslims around the world who are what you think they are.. it's a small group, around 2-3% which you see over the media etc.. islam is a pacific religion proning peace...we are all brothers and sisters after all.. some people unfortunately are brainwashed by some people to comit criminal acts perhaps for political purposes like we see in the middle east countries. but never put all people in the same basket.
javed, floreal,
Frightening stuff. The word Islam means submission. Tolerance with Islam is a one way street, we tolerate them, they do not tolerate us kaffirs. Surely the time has come to talk about repatriaintg some of these people back to countries where they can pratice their faith unhindered, lie Iran. After all, the Indians threw British people out of India some of whose familes had been there for 300 years.
john smith, Derby, Derbyshire
mohamamed, Nottingham -
What is Taqiyya - and Kitman ?
Vivi Andersen, DK , Middelfart, Danmark
It is impossible to win an entire nation over to Islam, just look at the Islamic States, even there in a place where everyone has apparently been won over there are still those who oppose it due to the sheer amount of human right abuses that happen and are happening in Muslim run states while you read this. Ugh well his ever going to fail or be shot failing, all people who spread "the faith" get killed, look at Jesus.
Bailey, Banbury,
i live in britain i follow my religion and i abide by the law which is set in britain. the founder of this organisation was a good man he taught to love everyone, live in peace and spread the love of the prophet but after him some of these people have gone of course and saying other things. the prophet said " if u kill one man u are killing the rest of the world" and anyone who says anything about harming or even killing people is not a muslim but they have another religon.
atif, london,
I hate Islam!
I had to leave London because of them.
They have proven themselfs to be nothing more than dylusional oppressors.
Chris, Bristol, England
Frightening stuff. The word Islam means submission. Tolerance with Islam is a one way street, we tolerate them, they do not tolerate us kaffirs. Surely the time has come to talk about repatriatng some of these people back to countries where they can pratice their faith unhindered, like Iran. After all, the Indians threw British people out of India some of whose familes had been there for 300 years.
john smith, Derby, Derbyshire
Firstly I am a british born muslim.
Tablighi Jamaat hails from the neo-conservative extremist wahabi movement. The wahabis are a relatively new sect [200 years old] with many off-shoots - deoband and tablighi jamaat being two of them. It is common knowledge that the Saudi Wahabis fund all those who follow their doctrine of hate, jihad and intolerance.
Most moderate british muslims, who simply want to live in peace oppose this new buidling. There are enough wahabi/deobandi/tablighi jamaat mosques in the uk. Its high time the authorities worked closer with the local communities to see which way each and every mosque is affiliated to.
Personally i would have ID CARDS for all muslim males between the ages of 12 and 50, with full address as well as mosque details. This may seem radical to some muslims, but i am sick and tired of us decent peaceloving law abiding british sunni muslims being tarnished because of these extremist groups and organisations.
Sunni, Lancashire, UK
There are limits to some things. There must be. British freedoms and democracy must find a way to protect its system and way of life. As an earlier poster has said, someone needs to wake up and smell the explosives. Reading the Qur'an is a must for all infidels. If you do not know your enemy, you will surely fall. History is replete with examples.
R S P, Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
It's time to wake-up and smell the Coffee!!
These jihadists went nothing more than the imposition Sharia in Britain, Jews and Christians who accept get to play second class citizens, everyone else has a far worse fate.
Qur'ran 9:29 being "revealed" at the end of Muhammad's life abrogates all of the "peaceful" verses. Read all of Sura (chapter) 9 usually identified as the last revealed, but certainly one of the last, therefore over-rules all previous peaceful verses.
Qur'an 9:29 "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, from among the People of the Book (Jew & Christians), until they pay the Jizya (poll tax) with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."
Gates, Vienna, Austria
I have to teach children about the Islamic faith although i am catholic. It does not offend my faith at all. I have respect for Islam and have reseaarced it enough to know why. Each time I have taught it however I am conscious that my children could equate the word muslim with terrorist due to the media coverage of extremists.
It has never happened in all my years of teaching...until this week. I skated over the subject and explained that Islam was a peaceful religion based on the teachings of Allah (pbuh) but I could never suggest it is a tolerant religion.
Tolerance comes through negotiation and understanding, respect and the ability to adapt to changes in culture, society and philosophy.Islam does not seem to have altered its view of the world yet it expects the world to alter its views towards it. If that is to be achieved I discourage the building of this mosque. Britain built British buildings to display its power over its colonies. This supermosque seems a tad empirical.
Barney, Liverpool, UK,
yuo should not make comments or judge a group untill you yourself have personaly researcehd into this group it is the same with everything i am part of this group and know that it is not what people make out that anything about or is anything to do with islam is naturaly thought of terrorists i am like a normal person went to a mixed school work hard and have many different friends like i say research your self before you judge.
IMRAAN, blackburn,
Many people in this country hate the thought of another group of people may start expanding here, maybe some of u people should look at your own history first & think about how long you were in India for?, if you don't want 2 go into a mosque, if you dont like the idea of becoming a muslim, don't become one, I work near st.pauls cathedral, doesn't mean I am going to become a christian, the people that want 2 become muslim can out of choice, nobody is forcing them 2 go 2 the mosque, try speaking to some white people who converted 2 Islam, they do so out of choice & are happy, people are just trying to make Islam look bad as if the papers and news don't do a good job in doing that anyway, the tablighi jamaat is a peaceful group, stop saying go back, because its not going to happen, if you can go to our lands for 200 odd years, we can stay here for as long as we like, start of by returning the kohi noor diamond that u stole back to us that sits in ur museum till this very day !
Cityboy, Essex, England
How will these TJ Muslims get their plans passed?
They just have to say "Racism" and "Islamophopia", three times.
Then all concerns will be put aside. The bus load of PC police will have batons ready, to protect Muslims from the rest of us.
I am sure Prince Charles will swagger round - to the opening ceremony - in the name of British openness and diversity. But knowing that there will be no compulsion for Camilla to wear the veil and headdress should put him at ease.
J Hill, London,
Mohammad, in between the good Sura 's there are many bad ones, so how can you say that ?
You maybe peace loving but there are 600 Mosques in the UK preaching otherwise . This means a large number are being urged to be true Islamist's.
Please sign petition at this address :
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/stopmegamosque/
Maggie Millington, Brittany , France
Andrew in London said: "If they mean no harm to us, what harm will a Mosque do. "
- Good God what happened to the country that gave the world Lord Nelson and Francis Drake! ....The harm, "Andrew" is that England will no longer be England, it will be Islam. If you don't value you're own heritage and culture enough to do anything other than wring your hands and worry that you've offended someone, or use it as an opportunity to show your PC... then I pity you. If you can't see what has happened to England in the short time it 'experimented ' with multiculturalism then I am afraid there is no hope for you.
As an American, I am perplexed by England's capitulation to political correctness and multiculturalism.
Malcolm, New York City, USA
I petitioned against this monstrosity to the government. They replied a few months later saying that Newham council had never received planning permission for it, so whats going on? I hope its never built and that Islam is eradicated for the evil cult that it is. Eveyrone should read the so called holy book the koran and learn how evil the suras and hadiths are, not only that they are contradictory. Yes moslem people may be nice, peaceful and loving on the outside but you only have to say something about their prophet or religion and thjey go mad. (Cartoons) Why dont they go mad for the injusticies in their own lands instead of stupid cartoons. They are not here to integrate they are here to take over
Name Withheld, Rayleigh, Essex. UK
Forget what this guys saying in this article. I urge you, non muslims to go find a person who is committed to this effort of the tablighi jamat, a british born hopefully, just to make communication easier, and learn and understand what they are all about.
I also take part in the effort and I can assure you, we are not a terrorist or political organisation. I have many white friends, non muslims and I have accepted the british way of life. So i have a beard, may look a little different but I dont want to overthrow the government. Dont just read books and articles, GO OUT AND FIND A MEMBER OF THIS EFFORT and then judege for yourself.
asif, Manchester, UK
Sound so much like the Nazi parade ground we see in old war movies, as Hitler walked among the adoring, yet murdering crowds at Nuremberg!
Do we need such a place in the UK?
Tim, Liverpool,
If this megamosque is such a fantastic idea then go and build it near Mecca so all the muslims can go and enjoy their religion together. England is a christian country, a few small mosques are tolerable but any attempt to islamify the UK is going to be opposed strongly ....... the tide of opinion on this matter is turning against the muslim community day by day.....
Phil, North West, UK
This is a dismal, bleak, article. But there is a slight glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel - that at present they have no where near enough of a population ‘critical mass’ to achieve ‘tipping point’ Their (very clear) objective is a good quarter of a century away (and that is a conservative estimate). So there is still time for this damage to be reversed TOTALLY. (If you know what I am hinting at – and I think you do.)
The other part of the glimmer of light is that establishment newspapers are printing stories like this one! Harts and minds – all good.
Unfortunately our present out of touch political elite is still in “religion – of – peace – in – our – time†mode (that gag copyright John Staffordshire). If our present politicians do not have the stomach for the job then I can think of a small growing party that has (If you know who I am hinting at - and I think you do.)
John, Staffordshire,
All of my life I have dreamed of visiting the ancient land of my ancestors. Great Britain. My heritage is Scottish and British. I am very proud of both. My heritage on my Grandfathers side goes back to the Saxon King Alfred. circa 860.
I no longer feel the allure that I used to though. The headlines we get over here are quite frightening. Unfortunately we have similar problems here in the USA. I read that England has become a surveilance society controlled by a totalarian govt. We are much more mistrustful of the govt. here. For good reason. The wonderful British could use a good dose of cynicism. America would never have come into existance were it not for the Scots Irish, who seem to this day to be detested by many. But it is their stubborn mistrust of govt.that gave birth to this nation. The only nation on the planet where the govt gets power from the people instead of the opposite. We aso are morphing into a totalitarian state. I don't know if you still have freedom of the press.
Winston Smith, aztlan, USA
Just shows how little the teaching of history benefited our illustrious leaders at school.
Were they off school the day the lesson was about the Trojan Horse?
MarkS, Leeds,
The building of such a structure, which could be viewed by some sectors of the general community as symbolizing intolerance, should not be allowed and the British Government should be pressured by the public to intervene and disallow this project. Does this group intend to attempt to convert all other religions as well? Their aim is unrealistic. The Christian and Jewish faiths, as well all the other religions in the world, accepts the existence of Islam, why can't Islam do the same for others, or is this just too hard? So long as this line of thinking exists there will never be any lasting peace in this world - it's called domination and what sort of a world it would be? If those who do not like any aspect of the way of life where they are living, an alternative country that suits them might be the better option for all. Unfortunately Australia has similar problems with Islamic leaders and their aims. I am not xenophobic or religiously intolerant however, enough is enough.
James, Melbourne, Vic. Australia
How about loving me for being me, a person, not loving me because of what faith I might have.
By all means worship whatever God you have , but give me the same respect to my own faiths God.
Ray, Lincoln, England
Mohammed, I'm sure you are correct in what you say. However, please bear in mind that newspapers set out to sell a story, so they will always take the worst case senario and make it seem normal. This does not only happen over religion, and Islam in particular, but over every possible story. For example, every young person these days must be in a gang and be on drugs and violent. This is plainly not the case, but the minority is assumed by the media to represent the majority views.
I am not in favour of this mosque being built, but that doesn't mean I'm anti-Islam, nor do I believe everything I read in the papers. I feel it will just be a step to far in a largely secular country to have such a large religious building which will become a focus point for both the best and the worst of what the Islamic faith has to offer, as do all such centres in all religions.
Nicky, Wokingham,
I love how Islamic leaders keep insisting that their religion is peaceful and tolerant but you never hear a Buddhist leader say something similar. Actions speak louder than words for sure.
JFK, Philadelphia, USA
The Anglican church funds simlar activities in Israel (apparently boycott support does not extend to ending missionary activity in Israel). They are getting a taste of their own medicine.
Nolonger European, Jerusalem, Israel
Iam a British convert, and it is organisations like these that Iam very grateful for. Their aim is simply to spread the message of Islam, the true religion on the face of this Earth. Islam teaches us love and peace. Islam also teaches us kindness and respect. Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) himself was a very kind and loving person. He treated every one, young and old, with kindness and respect. Peace be upon those who believe and adhere to the Truth!
Vincent Coles, Scotland:" It is committed to overthrowing our way of life, our laws, our culture, our history....". Are you kidding yourself? What way of life....what laws...?? Britain's hidden history of rioting, unemployment, highest pregnancy rates in Europe, homelessness, high crime rates and political violence. Therfore it doesnt suprise me that Britain becomes a Prozac nation.Islam is the perfect way of life, and Britain can do with a little tutoring in that.
To conclude all this, Islam the True Guidance........
Muslimah, London, UK,
Deobandi was pampered and abetted by British Empire in India.. In Just few yrs, after the demise of Sultan Caliphate, Muslims had no leadership around globe... Of course, Increasing revolt by Hindu led organizations convinced British Empire to create a parrell force in the promotion of British Empire, and division of India based on religion... After India's participation in World War l, after which, British Empire had promoised the independence of India, India didn't get what was promised. Instead, India's revolt was oppressed w/ Massacre of Punjabis in Amritsar... In 1936, Muslim league of India had 0 parliament seat.. it had no power... Afterward, World war ll had started.. British Empire once again needed India.... Along with sepoy, Greater india's participation was desired.. Gandhi rejected the request... of course, at this time, india had subash chander bose who had raised his own army... But Muslim league led by jinnah particpate in the world war... And BE rewarded Pakistan.
Da Punjabi, NYC, United States
All this constant propaganda against Islam is getting tedious now. The media doesn't seek to see the the positive way in which Islam has helped Muslims in the UK contribute to society. I think people should come to the town/city centres on a weekend and see the way in which human beings behave on the streets of Britain. Hostile, drunken animal-like behaviour like this goes on through out our country and no-one bats an eye-lid. This behaviour is the kind of thing that is detested in the so-called 'non-muslim western' way of life.
Mostofa, Lancashire, UK
If you have concerns about this tablighi jamat then why not discovers its beauty by joining it. Then you will be able to discover the truth instead of assumptions.
Tablighi jamat only teaches to respect HUMAN KIND (Muslim or Non-Muslim). This is the CORE of Tablighi Jamat.
If you are against the RESPECT OF HUMAN KIND then what can i say about you.
Study ISLAM, Study QURAN and see its beauty of TRUTH towards ONE GOD.
Muslim Khalid, London, UK
Andrew Norfolk seems to be on an 'anti-deobandi' and anti-islamic roll. Doesn't he anything better to write about rather than scare mongering in an already twitchy British society. We need to build bridges rather than shove a wedge in an already polarised society.
Ikbaal, istanbul,
The writing is on the wall, Britain...
Paul, Columbia, SC, USA
All the views metionned against Tablighi Jammat is rediculous and absurd. I have never encountered any Tablighi brother who is extremist or jehadist. By large they are the most loving and compassionate people. Why do spread lies and distorted truth about the muslim. I am sure if you approach their leader you will see by your own eyes that they are peaceful people who just have love and respect for their religion. Islam has never intended to harm anyone it is just some people they don't understand their religion properly and they act on their own desires.
mohammed, Nottingham,
Mohammed, read your Koran! It is you who do not understand your religion. Or you are lying.
Q 2:193, Q 9:5, Q 9:29, Q 9:111 and many others.
PeterR, Reading, Berks
Their spokeman himself is saying “We never come out on demonstrations against the Government,†he said. “Our aim is to make each and everyone . . . a better Muslim.â€
Spoken from there own mouth. Always amazes me that it is others who label people with terrorism.
Unlike the BNP and others, who you see and hear with the "us and them" mentality.
If they mean no harm to us, what harm will a Mosque do.
I suppose the sun will never set on all british prejudices.
Andrew, London, England
sorry Mohammed and Ahmed, but i find it very difficult to see your vision of islam and wonder what drugs you're on.
9/11 was not the start of islamic violence it's been going on for centuries, as Martel writes.
in my time we've had hijackings and murder in the seventies, plenty more in the eighties including the brave murder of a wheelchair bound jewish man, the bombings in the nineties, and since 9/11 over 9,000 terror attacks worldwide killing people of all races and denominations. and what of the 80,000,000 hindus killed by islam through the ages.
personally, if you want to follow islam i would say go to an islamic country and follow sharia, because the whole world is not islam and never will be.
arthur, brighton, england
th tablighee jamaat who hail from deoband are the foremost sufi movemnet in the world. They are anti wahhabi and anti salafi and to write about them withuot even encounterin or studying their creed is just ignorant I am a former tablighee having spent time with them benefiting from spiritual retreats and cultivation not once do they claim hate or jihadism they actually beleive in the jihad of the soul as the most important point of a Muslims purification of his or her own heart. The tablighees base their creed on 6 points th famous 6 points of tabighee jaamat are widely known and derived from the sufi manual of fazaail e amaal or the virtues of good actions- the 6 opints are-
1 Shaahaaadah-that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad peace be upon him is his final messenger
2 Salaah-Establshing prayer
3 Ilm and zikr-Gaining knowledge and remembering Allah
4Da'wah- conveying message of islam & inviting
5-Sincerity of intention
6-Ikram ul muslimeen- honuoring muslims
raju, london, uk
As a Christian I could never support a 'church' based on a 100,000 seater stadium - it is simply not appropriate to build such a monstrosity in a community. This shoul apply also to mosques. Small yes - monstrosity NO!
Steve, London, UK
It is far too dangerous to permit a group such as this to establish bases anywhere in the UK. It is committed to overthrowing our way of life, our laws, our culture, our history, and instead imposing upon us an alien ideology which is opposed to any concept of human rights.
No other ideology would be permitted to do so. It should not happen under the cloak of "religion".
Vincent Coles, Scotland,
quite amusing this, if the catholic church or CoE built a cathedral in mecca there would be mass protests about this, yet in britain we are tolerant too allow the largest religious building to be one not of the dominant faith or countries "official" faith. Thus if we are willing to allow this, surely in return we can build a cathedral in mecca? or the islamist isolasionists should embrace our society and denounce violence of the terrorists.
Most religions are peacefull - yet all have passages calling for the end of other religions and conversion of the masses, its all about interpretation, lets just let common sense prevail.
brain, london, uk
Where's that petition, I'd like to add my name to it,
The same thing that's going on in Britain is happening in Australia.
Brits wake up, and smell the gunpowder.
originalaussie, Brisbane, Australia
Thanks for a great laugh today! There's nothing like seeing things for yourself and being told, "Move along, nothing to see here. Move on."
What is the old saying? Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. England had better awaken from its slumber.
Snook, Norfolk, VA USA
Ridiculous. Britain will never convert to Isalam, civil war will ensue if muslims continue on there current path.
andrew, birmingham,
Right, Mohammed, right.
I'm not buying it, as they say.
If you want to live under Islamic law, then you may remove yourself to a country that lives under Sharia.
We in the West don't want it and will never submit to it.
Scott, San Francisco, USA
Vernon Richards wrote:
"The true Islamic concept of peace goes something like this: "Peace comes through submission to Muhammad and his concept of Allah" (i.e. Islam). As such the Islamic concept of peace, meaning making the whole world Muslim, is actually a mandate for war. It was inevitable and unavoidable that the conflict would eventually reach our borders, and so it has."
Vince P, CHICAGO, USA
What planet are these people on?
Richard, Eastbourne, UK
Mohammed with all due respect and meaning no offense to you brother, go back to your Qu'ran study it in depth by yourself, look at the verses which abrogate others and then show us where the doctrine and way of Islam promotes peace if you literally interpret it.
Ross, london,
The proof is in the pudding. Britain must be very wary of this group and listen to the people who have spoken with the petition. Treason, any one working to overthrow the State using illegal means used to be punishable by execution and still should be. We have all been warned by these people themselves so let us stop it before blood flows on the streets as has been forecast decades ago.
B J Deller, Marbella, Spain
Islam is the next great threat after Communism and National Socialism before that. We need to face up to the threat now and reject it. The only mosques that shopuld be allowed to survive are the ones that reject the violent aspects of the Qu'ran and the hadith that condone violence - even violence in self defence!
Tim, havant,
we understand islam perfectly as kuffars and reject it wholeheartedly ....... democarcy flourishes amongst the faithful.
caz, GRAVESEND,
Britain whilst accepting that it is and always has been, a multiracial society should not only disapprove of isolationism but actively fight against it. If you want to come to Britain you should want to be British and thus accept and join the resident British community not create a little Ghetto. Would the countries that these immigrants are leaving to come over here tolerate such 'pollution' of their homelands culture - I think not.
If immigarnts from whatever culture, wish to come to Britain to live and work, then they should learn to adaptto our way, not us adapt to theirs - It is our country after all.
Rob Bennett, Manchester, Lancs
I know many Muslims who are moderate but Islam in itself is by no means "moderate".The Qoran is certainly full of peace but it also clearly mentions what ought to be done with infidels and apostates!What should we think of a religion whose aim is to conquer the world?
Don't be surprised if people get scared, because it is scary!
Medigue Andre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
If and when we, as Christians, Jews, Hindus, Atheists and even moderate Muslims. dare to protest against plans like this huge mosque and the obvious intention of those building it to try and convert the UK, Europe, the World we are called racists. They try and make out that we tolerate 'The Jews'. 'The Hindus', 'The Christians' far more but the thing is, we need not concern ourselves with these latter's behaviour at all!
These people make it quite clear, with their benefit of free speech as they live in the UK, how much they hate us, yet we are not allowed to voice our concern. The Muslim Council of Britain remains silent to this, very real, threat (are they part of it or being bribed in some way?). Our own Government spents Billions on security, surveillance etc. but all they need do is keep an eye on these people who are seemingly baffled by our concern and think their behaviour is normal. For God sake, act now before the lunatics take over the Asylum - time is running out fast
LH, Warminster,
FAO Ahmed Bedfordshire...
If Tablighi Jammat is as extremist as you say it is, & islam is a beautiful, tolerant, peaceful way of life with love for everything and everyone, practised by the majority of muslims, where were you & your kin when muslims were parading around London with ''your 9/11 is on its way'' placards? When Hamza was preaching hatred for the west & democracy outside finsbury park mosque? Why are many of your mosques led by extremists? Why arent muslims doing something about this?
It is my view that moderate islam is a smokescreen to soft soap ordinary men & women of this country into believing your islam means no harm, until it is too late.
Alan Jones, basingstoke, england
I am a muslim. But I hope and pray this tablighi jamaat mosque is never built. Your research is correct. This party does preach Intolerance. They preach a very rigid, formulaic, angry version of Islam. ISLAM IS NOT LIKE THIS. This party like some other muslim parties found scattered around this country have their roots from WAHABBIISM. A very intolerant and reformist ideology that arose just over 100 years ago. I urge people to do their research on this matter. Classical Islam which does go back to the life of prophet Muhummad is a beautiful, tolerant, peaceful way of life with love for everything and everyone. I must stress the majority of muslims in this country and in the world have their roots with classical Islam. I hope that these truths are understood by everyone in this country and abroad. The challenge is how we expose these people and institutions preaching hatred and to real power be given to the real, peaceful muslims out there who are an immense asset to this country.
ahmed, bedfordshire, uk
The Sword Verses by the Doctrine of Naskh abrogate over 124 less violent verses in the Koran (when Mahomet failed to convince the Jews & Christians he was a "prophet", he ditched the inter-faith tolerance bit, gathered an army and spent the next 10 years of his "prophethood" until his death, as a warlord, mass murderer, rapist, condoner of rape by his army (a tactic of jihad to spread Islam), enslaved men, women, children and stole property ranging from goods to entire countries, according himself one-fifth of all such "war booty",committed paedophilia, and taught his followers Jihad, the permanent warfore to make islam the only ideology either forcing conversions, subjugating people as persecuted dhimmis paying jizyah taxes or killing them. All this is related in the Koran and the Hadiths (his life, words, deeds). His example as "an excellent model of conduct" (Koran 33:21) explains much of the Middle East's underdeveloped and constantly violent state and its threat to the West .
Martel, london,
All the views metionned against Tablighi Jammat is rediculous and absurd. I have never encountered any Tablighi brother who is extremist or jehadist. By large they are the most loving and compassionate people. Why do spread lies and distorted truth about the muslim. I am sure if you approach their leader you will see by your own eyes that they are peaceful people who just have love and respect for their religion. Islam has never intended to harm anyone it is just some people they don't understand their religion properly and they act on their own desires.
mohammed, Nottingham,