UK Islamic organization condemns ban on Qaradawi

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has condemned the UK government's decision to refuse a visa to renowned Egyptian scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi, warning it would send the wrong message about the country's traditional right to free speech.
The MCB, the UK's largest Muslim umbrella group with over 500 affiliates, said it recognized Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been "under immense pressure from the pro-Zionist and neo-conservative lobby in recent weeks to take this decision." "It is regrettable that the government has finally given way to these unreasonable demands spearheaded by the Tory leader (David Cameron) whose government had in fact allowed Dr Qaradawi to visit the UK five times between 1995-97," it said.
MCB secretary general Abdul Bari said that the Islamic scholar, who has been outspoken in support the right of Palestinians to resist Israeli occupation, enjoyed "unparalleled respect and influence throughout the Muslim world." "I am afraid this decision will send the wrong message to Muslims everywhere about the state of British society and culture. Britain has had a long and established tradition of free speech, debate and intellectual pursuit," Bari said.
He said the principles of free speech were worth defending, especially as British government has claimed, it would like to see them spread throughout the world.
The ban from entering Britain comes after a sustained campaign over several years, led by the Zionist lobby. The sheikh, who lives in Qatar and has written over 50 books, previously has been a frequent visitor.

Yousuf Al Qaradawi slammed the silence of Arab and Muslim countries over the war of impoverishment and humiliation waged by Israel against Gaza people

Doha – Muharram 18, 1429/ January 26, 2008 – Renowned Islamic scholar Yousuf Al Qaradawi yesterday slammed the “silence” of Arab and Muslim countries over the “war of impoverishment and humiliation” waged by Israel against the people of Gaza. In his Friday sermon at the Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque yesterday after an absence of several months on account of illness, Al Qaradawi stated that the Arab and Muslim countries should have pressured the US to change its attitude toward the crisis. His last sermon was on June 15.“There are more than 1 billion Arabs and Muslims around the world, but they did nothing for their besieged brethren in Gaza. Some countries are totally silent while others are shyly condemning the blockade,” Gulf Times reported quoting Sheikh Qaradawi as saying. The scholar renewed his calls for boycotting the goods of the countries he described as “enemies for Islam” and for supporting the Muslim and Arab causes. “I do not know why people stopped boycotting their goods though the battle is still going on. If only the Arab and Muslim countries can pressure the US through its interest in the region, it would change its stand on our causes, including the Palestinian cause,” he said. The scholar called on the Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, to resume their dialogue and meet once again in Cairo. “Both Fatah and Hamas should be united in their fight against the sons of Zion. The common ordeal should bring them together. The leaders of the factions should forget their differences and stop challenging one another. It is time to stop infighting and start dialogue in this critical stage.” Al Qaradawi hailed Cairo’s decision of opening the border gates with Gaza and allowing a large number of the besieged Palestinians to enter Egypt for stockpiling on food and medications. However, he urged Egypt not to submit to pressures from Israel or the US to close the border-crossing gates again. “I hope that Egypt will stick to its brave decision.”The scholar also dismissed the notion that the 1973 War erupted between the Arabs and Israel as “the last war between Israel and Arabs”, saying that “this is wrong notion as Israel is still stockpiling weapons by the support of the US.” He called on Muslims around the world to help out the Palestinians by sending donations. “Donating to the Palestinians in their ordeal is some sort of holy Jihad,” he said, while praising the diplomatic and relief efforts to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza. After the prayer, the faithful took part in a protest march organized by the Central Municipal Council (CMC), shouting anti-Israeli and anti-American slogans and carrying Palestinian flags with photos of the founder of the Hamas movement Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. Among those who participated in the march were CMC chairman Nasser Al Kaabi along with some other municipal council members, Palestinian Ambassador Munir Ghannam and Qatar’s former Minister of Information Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari. Speaking on the occasion, Al Kaabi said the march aimed to convey a message of support for the Palestinians by the Qatari people. “We would like to say no to the impoverishment and humiliation inflicted on the people in Gaza. We will also launch fund-raising campaign to help the people of Gaza in their ordeal,” he told the gathering. CMC member Mohamed Al Azaba urged Arab countries to take a cue from Qatar and support the Palestinians in their ordeal. “We should unify our efforts to alleviate the sufferings of our brethren in Palestine and end this unfair blockade,” he added.