The British Muslim Forum has found nothing but anger and frustration from its member communities about extremist groups like Al Muhajiroun and Islam4UK, whose actions have affected lives and communities, and challenged the dignity and made a mockery of our holy and peaceful religion. 

The British Muslim Forum, therefore, welcomes the announcement by the Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, of the ban for Al-Muhajiroun and Islam4UK. However, while the BMF recognises its necessity in this instance, an outright ban is a drastic measure that should be treated as the last resort; the right of every individual to have freedom of speech must be respected. 

We therefore urge the Government to look for long term solutions by addressing the structural inequalities and grievance felt by the majority of the mainstream Muslims and also look carefully at banning those far-right organisations that promote racism, hatred and through their actions incite violence.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The British Muslim Forum is the national umbrella body of the majority of the Mosques & Islamic Institutes operating at national, regional and grassroots levels in the UK. As a result, it has the largest share of elected seats in the UK’s Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB). Through its Scholars, local Mosques and institutions it has an influence over the majority of the two million Muslims in the UK who belong to the Traditional Sunni belief (Ahle-Sunnat-wal-Jamaat) which also incorporates Sufism.

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