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Comment: Ken's friends
Evening Standard16.04.08
Any efforts to encourage voter registration are welcome. As we report today, the Muslims 4 Ken organisation has been active in this regard, showing support for London's democratic process. However, other aspects of the organisation are troubling - particularly in the light of the Mayor's longstanding connections with the Islamic cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who has defended suicide bombing and the persecution of homosexuals.
A key figure in Muslims 4 Ken, Anas Altikriti, played a part in organising Mr al-Qaradawi's visit to London - before the cleric was banned from this country under the UN charter. Even more disturbingly for Londoners who have not forgotten the 52 dead on 7 July, 2005, among those linked to Muslims 4 Ken is Salma Yaqoob, a Birmingham city councillor who tried to legitimise the bombings as "reprisal events". Also active in the organisation is Azzam Tamimi, who, as a supporter of Hamas, said he would be prepared to be a suicide bomber for Palestinians himself.
Mr Livingstone has always been wholehearted in his condemnation of the 7/7 atrocities. But his supporters will be disturbed to learn that an organisation linked to people with very different views is promising to deliver him the election. Via a website called Islamophobia Watch, efforts are also being made to discredit challenger Boris Johnson by highlighting the BNP's recommendation that he receive members' second-preference votes.
Mr Johnson has rejected BNP support. The Mayor must make it clear that while welcoming moderate Muslims' support, he rejects the backing of anyone who supports suicide bombing. If he does not do so, Londoners will judge him by his political friends.
Reader views (6)
I'm sure the promise of a clear path for the building of the mega mosque has played no part in this what so ever.
- Mark, London, UK
I think Musa, that you are is clearly in denial.
The Evening standard says very clearly:
"Any efforts to encourage voter registration are welcome. As we report today, the Muslims 4 Ken organisation has been active in this regard, showing support for London's democratic process."
No damning for doing or not doing - just clear and principled support for Muslim participation in the democratic process.
Moreover, if all that the people referred to in the article had were "conservative religious leanings" this debate would frankly not be taking place. The problem is that they have murderous and psychopathic leanings.
Read the article again and more carefully and than lets see you address what it says rather than the phoney self manufactured points of your own imagining.
- Mightymark, UK
Mr Livingstone's cynical political manipulation of an entire religious following, that of Islam, in order to remain in office is patronising to Muslims and fuels resentment amongst non-Muslims.
Do I expect the Church of England or London’s Hindu temples to dictate who I vote for on 1st May? NO. When will the left learn that religious and ethnic minorities in London are not a homogeneous group willing to be used as political ammunition? As the son of a Colombian immigrant to this country I vote as an ordinary individual Londoner. Politicising religious and ethnic identities for votes shamefully undermines our democracy and is just what Livingstone accuses the BNP of doing.
- Will Haggard, London, UK
Damned if you do...damned if you don't. We are continually berated to integrate, assimilate and embrace the pluralistic and civic values of our great nation, when we do try to vent our frustrations, concerns and choice through the democratic process, then our representatives and leaders are defamed and vilified in the press. So what if some people have conservative religious leanings, Ken is the Muslim choice because of his even-handed, just and understanding attitude towards all communities. Boris is not the preferred choice because of his open, verified insults and attacks on the second largest religion in the world. This front-page article is an unfounded smear on lawful, legitimate Muslim campaigners and activists.
- Musa Evans, London
If Ken is so fond of the suicide bombers why doesn't he follow their lead and strap himself to something explosive?
This is a disgraceful example of block vote buying that typifies the Labour party and their bankrupt politics.
Please give me back my tolerant, hard working, fun loving country that these blinkered, racist, xenophobic, homophobic, narrow minded bigots are trying to steal.
- Robin, London
It's no wonder the BNP are making in roads. Can you blame any real Londoners. We're all too afraid of speaking our minds without the fear of offending or being called racist. Where's the human rights in this?
I travel the world and respect their laws. If you don't like it, move on!
The majority of Muslims understands this and are law abiding. Why should they be tarred with the same brush. Like any religion, it states to be fair and tolerant to your brothers. "sheesh" does it take a world war III
- Alec, West London
