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'You can't preach the Bible here, this is a Muslim area': What police told Christian preachers
Last updated at 20:04pm on 02.06.08(What a community policeman told two Christians)
Readings from the Koran: Naeem Naguthney
Two Christian preachers were stopped from handing out Bible extracts by police because they were in a Muslim area, it was claimed yesterday.
They say they were told by a Muslim police community support officer that they could not preach there and that attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity was a hate crime.
The community officer is also said to have told the two men: 'You have been warned. If you come back here and get beat up, well, you have been warned.'
A police constable who was present during the incident in the Alum Rock area of Birmingham is also alleged to have told the preachers not to return to the district.
It comes amid growing concern over the development of Islamic 'no-go areas'.
The preachers, Americans Arthur Cunningham and Joseph Abraham, are demanding an apology and compensation from West Midlands Police.
They say their treatment breaks the Human Rights Act, which guarantees freedom of religious expression.
The preachers, who have the backing of the Christian Institute pressure group, say they will take the force to court for breaching their human rights if they don't receive an apology.
They have accused the officer, PCSO Naeem Naguthney, of behaving in an 'aggressive and threatening' manner. A complaint by their lawyers said he interrupted as they spoke to Muslim youths about their beliefs.
Mr Abraham, 65, who was born a Muslim in Egypt and is a convert to Christianity, said: 'He told us we were trying to convert Muslims to Christianity and that that was a hate crime.
'He was very intimidating and it concerns me that somebody holding his views can become a police officer, albeit at PCSO level.'
Mr Cunningham, 48, a fellow American Baptist missionary, said: 'He realised we were Americans and then started ranting at us about George Bush and American foreign policy.
'He said we were in a Muslim area and were not allowed to spread our Christian message. He said he was going to take us to the police station.'
Mr Cunningham added: 'I am dumfounded that the police seem so nonchalant. They seem content not to make it clear that what we were doing was perfectly legal. This is a free country and to suggest we were guilty of a hate crime for spreading God's word is outrageous.'
Outraged: Arthur Cunningham
Seeking an apology: Joesph Abraham
According to a complaint by the men's lawyers, Mr Naguthney summoned two other officers in support, one of whom, a full constable, is said to have told the men not to return to the area.
Mr Naguthney, 30, was recruited as a community support officer last year after being unemployed for eight months.
Earlier this year, he had a prominent role at a conference to launch the West Midlands branch of the National Association of Muslim Police. He gave a reading from the Koran before the audience heard a recorded contribution from Gordon Brown, a speech from Home Office Minister Tony McNulty, and contributions from several chief constables.
Mr Naguthney declined to discuss the row.
His brother, Nadeem, said: 'Naeem is a community man, that is why he joined the police.'
The Alum Rock area was at the heart of a terrorism inquiry last year, which ended with the conviction of local resident Parviz Khan for plotting to kidnap and behead a British soldier.
A senior Church of England bishop, the Right Reverend Michael Nazir-Ali, warned recently that it is hard for non-Muslims to live and work in some areas where radicals and clerics are trying to impose an Islamic character.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said an investigation into the complaint had concluded that the PCSO had acted 'with the best of intentions' when he 'intervened to diffuse a heated argument between two groups of men'.
A statement added: 'Following this investigation, the PCSO has been offered guidance about what constitutes a hate crime and advice on communication style.'
Reader views (17)
Two American Christian fundamentalists go into a Muslim neighbourhood and try to convert people, supported by the Christian Institute "pressure group". Sounds like a cheap publicity stunt to generate negative headlines.
- Tehillim, Hamshire, UK, 30/03/2009 15:52
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How do we learn about other faiths if someone doesn't tell us? I have not remained in the religious community to which I was born - I am glad I made the change, but I never would have made it if someone hadn't talked to me about her own faith. We tolerate all kinds of speech that is offensive - how is this any more offensive than the stuff we don't blink an eye at? I have often been approached by hare krishnas, etc. - I know how to politely say that I am not interested. What's so hard about that?
- Oscewicee, U.S., 03/06/2008 14:42
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While I wouldn't go quite as far as Michael Cooper, I think he's got a point. Religion is a personal choice and should not be inflicted on others. Like a lot of people I keep getting representatives of religious groups knocking on my door, despite the notice politely inviting them not to, and annoying me.
What really irritates me is their arrogant belief that they know better than me. I think this behaviour and preaching on the street ought to be banned.
- Tobin, Newbury, 02/06/2008 13:08
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Slap a racism charge on those police?
We seem to forget it is the Christian/Judaic religion that underpins much of the social care institutions and open boundaries of this country. And that have made Muslims and others so welcome and tried so hard to accommodate them in the way to which they would have liked in their original countries. Alas, too late to shut the gates against the arrogant and intolerant Muslim religion now.
- Helen, norwich, 02/06/2008 12:08
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West Midlands Police are the lunatics that complained to Ofcom about the Channel 4 programme on Islamic extremists - they felt that the editing was wrong. They should concentrate on fighting crime. West Midlands Police protect Islamic extremists and hassle innocent members of the public. West Midlands Police have allowed Muslim enclaves to flourish and the Rev Nazir-Ali is right; there are no-go areas for non-Muslims and West Midlands police have proven that with this incidence. The chief constable and his managers need to resign. They police in a way that discriminates between Muslims and non-Muslims and, in those circumstances, they are not fit to be police officers.
- Anthony, London, W2, 02/06/2008 11:44
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Fire this PCSO Naeem Naguthney immediately.
- Squiz, Islington, 02/06/2008 11:37
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If I was in charge of this country. The practising of all religion would be banned and anybody caught preaching religion would be imprisoned. There is no place for this nonsense in 21 century Europe. Religions should stay in the deserts where they were invented. I mean come on. If you are stupid enough to believe in God or whatever, then you are probably stupid enough to do pretty much anything.
- Michael Cooper, London, 02/06/2008 11:17
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As anyone knows who lives or comes from Birmingham Alum Rock is a very rough area, and a no go one for "outsiders".
Bet the police don't sack him either as they are too PC, and scared to do anything.
- P Staker, London, 02/06/2008 11:01
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Could this be a warning sign to us all - that our freedom of speech is seriously under threat. - Our right to an opinion and right to challenge others views is quickly being taken away and it seems that the Muslim community are in strong opposition of having other challenge their views and their faith? - I have not heard reports of Muslims being told that they could not preach where they wanted?
- Phil, London, 02/06/2008 10:51
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I don't even know what to say, this is the kind of nonsense that makes me hate what spineless cowards we have become, how do we allow this to go unchecked? Police officers with personal agendas? Demand his job and a full apology from his force.
- Wf, London, 02/06/2008 10:39
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They are quite right to get upset on grounds of freedom of expression. Why they should get compensation is beyond me, though I guess being American may have something to do with it!
- Paul, London, 02/06/2008 10:35
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Why would anyone be surprised this is the UK in 2008
- Pat, Sussex, 02/06/2008 10:33
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Sounds like the usual PC rubbish we have to deal with on a daily basis these days!
Perhaps the Jews or Mormons should try there luck in the area - now that would be interesting!
- Scott, London, 02/06/2008 09:56
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Nice to see the religion of peace, harmony and tolerance at work once again..
No-go areas for Non-Muslims anyone?
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 02/06/2008 09:33
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Not long before all our churches will be closed down as 'racist, our pubs and clubs closed down because they are not inclusive and our supermarkets forced to stop selling beef, pork as they may offend 'other faiths'. You may not think this could not happen, but it has already started in many areas as the above article shows.
- Gary, wycombe, 02/06/2008 09:27
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Converting people to Christianity is part of OUR heritage and culture. Whether this is done overseas in heathen nations by missionaries or here in England. We need to educate these people, especially if they are police officers. Hate crime? Incredible! What are our politicians doing all day? Get rid of them all, I say.
- Haskey, London SE1, 02/06/2008 09:02
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Is this the same West Midlands Police that had to issue an apology and pay £100,000 in damages to Channel 4 Dispatches over the Undercover Mosque?
It would appear that there is something very wrong going on here, and deserves investigation.
- Jeremy E, London, 02/06/2008 08:28
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