fundamentalist group Al-Mahajiroun.
The National Front have called a counter demonstration.
The new anti-fascist group Anti-Fa sees very little difference between the
fascism of the National Front and the Islamic fundamentalism of Al-Mahajiroun.
Indeed their views on gay people, Jews, Women, Trades Unionists, Anarchists etc would appear to be virtually identical.
Meet outside the national Gallery at 12.30pm.
Ken Livingstone organised today’s event. Recently he also organised a conference where one of the principal guests was Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi. Many observers have described al-Qaradawi as a moderate, whilst others see him as a fanatic. We understand that the majority of Muslims don’t share all his ideas, yet his arrival kicked up a huge kerfuffle. Far fewer Muslims share the weird ideas of more fundamentalist Islamists, whose ideas are – frankly – barking. For example, the loons of al-Mahajiroun don’t consider there to be any mosques in the UK. Just as the NF are not representative of white people, al-Mahajiroun are out on the fringes of British Islam. But just how nutty are they?
You’ll have a chance to find out in Trafalgar Square next Sunday, 25 July, when al-Mahajiroun hold a Rally for Islam. This is not a fun-filled day out for all the family, unless your family is particularly patriarchal, homophobic, sexist and misogynistic, anti-Semitic and believes in killing everyone who doesn’t agree with you. Neither is it an introduction to what you’d understand as Islam, but to a political group seeking to use Islam for their own sordid ends. To their credit, al-Mahajiroun promise some miracles in the Square! It seems that atheists, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and bizarrely socialists will renounce their ideas and embrace Islam, quite spontaneously. It should be a sight worth seeing!
The highlight of the day, though, is likely to be the appearance of the National Front, who will definitely not be converting to Islam. Many of their ideas differ little from those of al-Mahajiroun, especially as regards Jews, women and gays and lesbians. They’re not turning up to cheer on the fundies – they’ll be out for their blood. The NF will also use the day as an opportunity to demand the expulsion of all Muslims from the UK and the destruction of all mosques in Britain.
ANTIFA opposes both the obscene fascism of the National Front and the apocalyptic extremism of fundamentalist Islam. Neither offers ordinary people – already suffering from bosses, councils and landlords – any solution. We are holding a counter-demo against the NF and al-Mahajiroun, meeting outside the National Gallery at 12.30pm. We look forward to seeing you there.
Comments
Hide the following 3 comments
Not the same thing
23.07.2004 08:27
I'm glad to hear there will be a crowd turning out to oppose the NF.
They have got away with too many stunts recently.
I must admit I have a huge problem with Antifa saying radical islam and fascism
are the same though; they are clearly not.
The number of so called fundameltalist Islamisists in the UK is roughly 0.05% of the population. I don't think we are in danger of a taliban style take over in the UK. That is exactly what the BNP NF would like is all to think though. By you lot turning out opposing an oppressed group of our citizens who are just trying to point out the crimes against muslims all over the world, your not really helping in the fight against racism/fascism.
Joe
Outrage!
23.07.2004 10:17
http://outrage.nabumedia.com/pressrelease.asp?ID=189
I note that he is now claiming that "It was never our intention to disrupt the PSC rally or create a commotion."
http://www.workersliberty.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2227&mode=thread&order=0
However the tone of the press release before and after the event suggest otherwise .
Anyways, will Outrage! be there provoking a response from these two groups, or not?
And maybe afterwards he'll sit down and draw up an action plan of how the issue should be addressed in the Palestinian context, along with examples of other societies that have adopted positive policies towards the gay community before basic needs such as the safety of the entire society, adequate food and shelter have been addressed.
Cos I cant't see any of that info in the diatribes put out by the zionist gay press, who use the issue as another way of attacking Palestinians.
So, come Peter, face up the homophobia in Britain, and then use your years of campaigning to come up with a positive plan to address homophobia in societies under brutal military occupation.
Even "democratic" Israel hasn't cracked the problem quite yet Mr Tatchell.....
http://www.tgguide.com/soapbox/news/034.htm
freethepeeps
Bollocks to both groups there all wankers
23.07.2004 17:40
Basher Spanks