Call to 'stay away' on Saturday
RELIGIOUS leaders and prominent members of the city's Muslim community are urging people to stay away from Saturday's English Defence League rally.
Imams from mosques and chairmen of Nottingham's Islamic societies fear protesters could be provoked into violence.
They believe the English Defence League (EDL) rally could attract more publicity for the group as a result.
In a joint statement on behalf of "Nottingham's Muslim Community", a spokesman said: "We call on Muslims and any people that want to attend any counter-protest against the EDL to be advised that their attendance may only serve to undermine the image of Muslims as law-abiding and peaceful people.
"We consider any well-intentioned individuals may be provoked into violence.
"We call on all people to recognise that as law-abiding and peaceful Muslims, we are opposed to any protests which aim to create disharmony between people of faith and no faith and may risk public safety and property damage."
A number of prominent figures have been involved in compiling a message for young people and community groups.
Those involved in the group action include Dr Musharraf Hussain, Imam of Ash Shifaa mosque in Bobbers Mill; Sufi Ramzan, chairman of Nottingham Islamic Centre in St Ann's; Shaikh Abbas Mirza, Imam of Al-Zahra Foundation in Lenton; Assad Showeb, president of Nottingham Trent University Islamic Society; and Otham Moqbel, University of Nottingham faith adviser.
Imams from other Nottingham mosques and representatives of the city's Somali community also support "staying away" on Saturday.
Abdul Aziz, who will discuss the issue on his weekly radio show – JazbaeHaq – on 97.1 Radio Faza, between 9pm and 10pm tomorrow, has campaigned with Muddasser Qureshi to appeal to younger Muslims.
He said: "It is important people stay away so the rally will pass without incident."
Meanwhile, The Nottingham Jewish Muslim Dialogue (NJMD) has unanimously voted to support Nottingham's Muslim community.
A spokesman said: "The Jewish members of the NJMD were disgusted to see the display of an Israeli flag at the [recent EDL] meeting in Leeds, falsely implying that the League has the support of Israelis and Jews in EDL's campaign of Islamophobia."
8 Comments
by Litesp33d, Nottingham
Wednesday, February 02 2011, 1:05AM
“Some Muslims are law abiding and peaceful people. Many are in favour of hanging homosexuals, treating women as possessions, having sex with girls under the UK age of consent, beating their wives, forcing women to walk around in a sack, killing Jews just because they are Jews, killing atheists because they are infidels, killing family members in some misguided sense of honour ritual, burning down buildings and killing people over a cartoon, killing people for making a film. I could go on but that is enough. Not all their fault as they have been brainwashed into these ideas as children.
One question when these things happen where are all the 'moderate' muslim protesters standing up to be counted with banners and loud voices shouting down their more radical brothers. Please prove me wrong. I have just never seen it.”
by Lucy, West Bridgford
Saturday, December 05 2009, 2:16PM
“The EDL are nothing more than a group of beer drinkers, who think they are protecting England. In fact, they are encouraging hatred and violence in our beloved country at all angles. People in Nottingham today, are shopping for their loved ones for Christmas. Why bring such vile atmosphere here? Stay off our streets, EDL and any other racist groups are not welcome here.”
by Snot, Lace Market
Saturday, December 05 2009, 10:32AM
“Dave H, the EDL ARE the white working class, and the majority of them are hard working and have earned and paid in all their working lives, unlike the so called 'middle class' commies. Identifying people by how much they have got in the bank was a human classification scheme invented by those whom it automatically places at the top of the tree - international bankers with 'funny names'. Grow out of communism mate we've already got it by the scruff of the neck.”
by Dave H, Radford
Friday, December 04 2009, 8:52AM
“The EDL is not working in the interests of the white working class. If it was it would be attacking the real threat of the banks and the corrupt political system, not Muslims.”
by billy, Living in this Labour generated hell hole.
Friday, December 04 2009, 8:21AM
“Good Luck to the EDL, at least somebody is sticking up for the down trodden, forgotten white working class.”
by Abdul Aziz, Nottingham
Thursday, December 03 2009, 11:08PM
“Trig - because the message is from the Muslim Community: the article does include the quote that the Muslims appeal to ALL people not to attend. It goes without saying that the least amount of attendance by ANYBODY serves a better purpose; this is what the Muslims are asking people to consider.”
by Dave, Nottingham
Thursday, December 03 2009, 12:42PM
“Trig - because the demo is against Moslem extremism. But if you want to campaign for Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, etc. to stay away too, you go right ahead.”
by Trig, Nottingham
Thursday, December 03 2009, 9:51AM
“Why the call for muslims to stay away. Who is championing a campaign to ask non-muslims to stay away also. Surely if nobody at all (muslim or non-muslim) attended this event, that would be much more of an headline grabber. But for some reason the evening post decided to write an article specifically on muslims to stay away!”