Muslim 'role model' Khan defended

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Exiled preacher Omar Bakri Mohammad told The Sun the boxer was committing a sin and set a bad example to Muslims for showing allegiance to the British flag. His comments were branded "bizarre" by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).

Inayat Bunglawala, assistant secretary general of MCB said: "Amir Khan is a wonderful role model. He's a hugely successful boxer, proud of being Muslim and British. I can see why that could upset Omar Bakri, but to hundreds of thousands of British Muslims, Amir Khan is a wonderful role model."

The Commonwealth lightweight title-holder is draped with the Union Flag in photos on his official website and often wears shorts featuring the emblem.

Bakri told The Sun: "Amir Khan is not a good example for Muslims. He wears shorts with the Union Jack. That is a sin. He should not be wearing the flag because sovereignty is for God. His only allegiance should be to the Prophet Mohammed. The ideal situation would be to have a Muslim team not registered to any state so he can represent the Islamic community."

Mr Bunglawala said: "Bizarre. These comments are typical of Omar Bakri. He doesn't live in this country and frankly his views are of no concern to British Muslims."

Omar Bakri Mohammad lives in Lebanon after leaving London in 2005.

Khan, 21, is due to fight Martin Kristjansen for the WBO Lightweight Championship of the World in his home town of Bolton on April 5.

The fight is billed as "National Pride" on an advertisement poster by his promoter Frank Warren and shows Khan poised in a boxing stance.

Mr Warren said he was "shocked and annoyed" by the comments. He said: "Amir is the face of modern multicultural Britain and, as a premier sportsman, the young generation look up to him as a role model. He likes to keep his religion private and personal but I know that he is extremely proud to be British and represent his country in the boxing ring and he is equally as proud of his Pakistani heritage."