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Muslim group backs Ken as 'best mayoral candidate'
Nicholas Cecil, Political Correspondent22.02.08
Leading Muslims have backed Ken Livingstone to win a third term as London Mayor.
They issued a statement hailing him for supporting multi-cultural society, fighting Islamophobia and racism, and protecting Muslim communities.
The signatories said it was in Muslims' "best interest" for Mr Livingstone to be re-elected on 1 May.
Tory mayoral challenger Boris Johnson today insisted he was "not remotely worried" by the show of support for Mr Livingstone. He said: "When anything is signed by so-called community leaders I take it with a big pinch of salt.
"My grandfather was a Muslim and so was my great-grandfather. I am proud of my Muslim ancestry. But I want to talk about the interests of Londoners. I don't care what religion they are."
The statement, published on the Guardian website, is signed by 63 individuals or groups including Mohammed Ali, chief executive of the Islam Channel, Professor Tariq Ramadan and Dilwar Hussain from the London Muslim Centre, part of the East London Mosque.
Praising Mr Livingstone, it states: "His stands and policies have constantly championed justice in the Middle East ... freedom for the Palestinians and withdrawal of occupying troops from Iraq; a rare trait of modernday public figures."
Ihtisham Hibatullah of the British Muslim Initiative, which is behind the statement, argued that Mr Livingstone was doing more to help Muslim communities than Mr Johnson or Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick. He claimed that the Muslim leaders involved could mobilise many voters to back Mr Livingstone.
The Mayor welcomed the statement.
Reader views (14)
Ken should be concerned. There will be a backlash against this kind of meddling by religious leaders. I had not made up my mind, but now I will definitely vote for anyone but Ken.
- Beatriz, London
Well I'm definitely not voting for Ken now.
- Squiz, Islington
In that case it is easy. The Brits then all should vote for Mr. Johnson.
- Georgie, Islington, London
I thought we were all Londoners and as such had common interests in the transport facilities and general quality of life in the Capital. I was brought up to believe that ones religion was a personal private belief and not a badge that entitled one to special treatment or consideration.
- Philip Brown, Northolt, England
This is an absolute disgrace and should be immediately withdrawn. What is politics coming to?
- Shocked, London, UK
Little surprise that Livingstone has the Muslim vote, he's guaranteed to bend over backwards in order to accommodate their every whim.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
Are Muslims unable to think for themselves? This is very dangerous. It's against the spirit of democracy for 'community leaders' to "advise" their followers to vote en masse for one candidate or another.
After all, they wouldn't be too happy if the white electorate were advised to vote for Boris Johnson.
- Jl, London
The signatories to the Guardian represents a diversity from the Moslem community. Asa non-Moslem, I see this as the expression of one of the many communities who have been welcomed as part of Ken Livingstone's London.
Boris Johnson, as most of his supporters will as ever miss the point. These Moslems are Londoners but have particular concerns as Moslems. When Boris says he is concerned about 'all Londoners', we only see how he would serve the interests of a very narrow group that is his world, not the diverse and often less privileged parts of the capital. Leading Moslems recognise this, as will no doubt a much more diverse community.
- Ray Sirotkin, London,UK
So, the power-broking has now begun. Let's see how other single-interest groups fall. Maybe these people don't really care about the way their (our) money is shovelled over to the Mayor's various cronies. Maybe they want a piece of the action for themselves.
- Chuck Unsworth, London
Boris will be a Mayor for all people in London where as Ken seeks to segregate us into separate 'communities'.
- Steve, Walthamstow
The Mayor of London should be seen to speak for all the peoples in London.
- Helen, Norwich
"His stands and policies have constantly championed justice in the Middle East ... freedom for the Palestinians and withdrawal of occupying troops from Iraq; a rare trait of modern day public figures."
What relevance has that got to do with the running of London? The Mayor of London should not get involved with foreign policy and leave it to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.
This is not a vote winner for the mainstream majority.
- Trevor, London
Why's that then, Marc? Do you have some kind of prejudice against Muslims?
- Charlie, Soho
Good enough reason, if any was needed, not to vote for Ken.
- Marc, Harrow, UK
