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TV show got it wrong, say Oldham muslims
Reporter: KAREN DOHERTY
Date online: 04 March 2010
OLDHAM Muslim Centre has criticised a TV programme over claims that a group it is linked to wants to establish an Islamic state in Britain.
It says that the allegations made in the Channel 4 documentary plays into the hands of the BNP and has urged people not to destroy the borough’s good race-relations work.
The “Dispatches” programme aired on Monday investigated the London-based Islamic Forum Europe (IFE), which it described as a fundamentalist group.
Oldham Muslim Centre, Neville Street, is a project of IFE charity the Islamic Forum Trust.
Reporter Andrew Gilligan looked at claims that the IFE had placed its “brothers in positions of political power” by infiltrating Tower Hamlets Labour Party, wanted to create an Islamic state and wanted to impose Sharia Law.
Minister and East London MP Jim Fitzpatrick said in the programme: “The suggestion is they have councillors, candidates, standing for different parties in different parts of the country, and that they encourage their members to vote for these candidates regardless of which political party they represent at the ballot box.”
Oldham Muslim Centre aims to promote tolerance and oppose extremism.
Volunteer Nanu Miah said it has been praised for its community cohesion work since it was set up two years ago.
He denied the programme’s claims and said: “I think it is politically motivated. What we need to concentrate on is the good work that the Muslim community is doing rather than just demonising them.
“Most of the work of the IFE is educating people, dealing with gangs and drugs.
“Channel 4 has been making a lot of programmes about different organisations, trying to demonise them. This type of programme has got to stop — it’s creating divisions.
“The ‘Dispatches’ programme is extremism trying to play on people’s fears, taking us from cohesion to division. It was based on racism and hatred. Programmes like this are only helping the BNP.
“The people of Oldham have done a lot. I ask all generations ‘Let’s not destroy what we have already built’.”
The “Dispatches” programme comes 11 years after Labour North West took over the party’s selection in Alexandra amid claims that Asian supporters were cramming meetings and voting more than once.
This was followed by allegations that clans were trying to infiltrate the party in some wards for their own means.
A statement on the IFE website says: “The recent media coverage concerning the IFE is grossly inaccurate and, in a number of respects, libellous.
“The IFE is not a radical organisation and has never advocated the implementation of sharia law or an Islamic state in the UK.
“Further, the IFE categorically condemns violent extremism.”
Comments
They would say that wouldn't they? No smoke without fire. I watched this programme and I am not happy these people are in Oldham. Lets hope the relevant people look into this and take action. If you've not seen the show it will be on Channel 4's website.
"OLDHAM MUSLIMS"say that the Dispatches program got it wrong.This Oldham non muslim says they have not.
"It says that the allegations made in the Channel 4 documentary plays into the hands of the BNP and has urged people not to destroy the borough’s good race-relations work."
Would it matter if it played in to the hands of the new liebour party,doubt it so why does it matter that the BNP might make something of it after all they are a well liked legal party.
They do say there is no smoke without fire!!
i think those in towns like our own have had an opinion but never voiced it,
It might criticise, but anyone who watched the 'Generation JIhad' program will have learned that Moslems cannot accept there is terrorism even when the incontravertable evidence is under the noses and a guilt verdict has been returned. If you put on the blinkers and the rose tinted glasses you will only ever see what you want to see, not reality.
Well having watched the programme and have more questions about the links of the ife and government and certainly will not be voting for any muslim councillor or MP just to stay on the safe side, lets face who would think doctors would try a blow up people
Why don't the IFE take Ch4 to court then and prove it
More scare mongering from "outsiders" which may, once again, lead to division between the diverse folk of Oldham.
Perhaps we should spend more time concentrating on educating people, such as the BNP, to string a sentence together and formulate their own views about life.
Peace to all.
Keith- Harold Shipman (Doctor) killed people, and over 10 years ago a Jewish Doctor with a semi-automatic weapon went into a mosque and shot and killed over 20 people and injured countless more in the middle east. If you want to make it a race and religious issue, you keep coming.
Its no earth shattering revelation to all the readers why you wont vote for a muslim candidate and its nothing to do with safety!!
ProDriver, who is the head honcho? Anyone know? What goes on in there? Anyone know? What is it doing to promote tolerance and oppose extremism? Anyone know. Anyone care?
To fightback. What religious denomination was Harold Shipman? Was his religion anything to do with his crime. Why raise the issue of a Jew killing Muslims? All that does is show that there is a battle between Zionists and Islamo fascists to rule the religious roost. How many Catholic, Christian or any other religious followers have murdered Muslims in this country, then turn the question round and see the difference.
Bring back Norman Tebbit's cricket bat test!!! Anyone not supporting England.........turf 'em out!!! I've never quite understood why an indiginous white male can be called racist for sporting the flag of St. George yet certain ethnic minorities can flaunt the national flag of their homeland.
well said mikejh45... Come St Georges day I for one will be putting up the flag of St, George in my front garden. It really is time we began to stand up for ouselves, and let the politicians know we are here.
Prodriver - Keith made it a religious isssue, I was the one that turned it on its head. For me it was not a religious issue, a murderer (of what ever faith and employment) is a murderer.
This then answers your question. People of all faiths have been murdered by people of all faiths in this country. As usual you didn't say that to keith, but quick to point it out to me, no need to wonder why!!
Have Your Say
I didn't see the programme. If it's so misrepresentative why hasn't the head honcho at Oldham Muslim Centre spoken out? Why an unknown volunteer? Who has praised this mosque for it's community work? Why bring the BNP into the debate at all?
A simple surf of the net brings up plenty of stories saying the IFE is a hardline Islamist organisation. No wonder this volunteer brought up the BNP, easy way to deflect from the nature of the IFE and what is going at Oldham Muslim Centre.
By ProDriver @ 04/03/2010 12:14:49