— The British government announced Tuesday that it would ban an Islamic
group that had sparked widespread public revulsion over its intention
to demonstrate in a town known for paying tribute to soldiers slain in
Home Secretary
Islam4UK would be outlawed under a measure allowing the government to
ban organizations deemed to advocate or glorify terrorism. He said the
move was “not a course we take lightly” but was necessary to tackle
violent extremism.
The government alleges that the group is the latest
incarnation of an organization that had already been put on the
blacklist under previous names, including al-Ghurabaa and the Saved
Sect. A former version of the group was known for praising the
“An organization should not be able to circumvent
proscription by simply changing its name,” said Johnson, whose order
goes into effect Thursday.
Islam4UK caused a stir last week when members said
they would march through the streets of Wootton Bassett in honor of
Afghans killed by foreign troops.
The town, about 75 miles west of
Their bodies pass through the town in flag-shrouded caskets upon being
sent home from the field. Hundreds of mourners routinely line Wootton
Bassett’s streets to show their respect.
Although the war in
group opposing it drew hundreds of thousands of followers. Islam4UK
leader Anjem Choudhary denied that his group advocated violence.
“We are an ideological and political movement,” he told the
today … you can practice your freedom of expression as long as the
government agrees, but as soon as you want to expose them and you want
to talk about their foreign policy, then freedom very quickly
dissipates.”
The ban on his organization came a day after five
Muslim men were convicted of threatening and abusive behavior at a
parade in eastern
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