"Anti-fascists" to Protest Anjem Choudary and Al-Muhajiroun Re-launch?

[Seán Mac Stiofán]

Al-Muhajiroun: dangerous political amateurs | Nesrine Malik | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

I don't think so.

Al-Muhajiroun's first public outing after the Islamist group's reincarnation was supposed to take the shape of a debate between Anjem Choudary and Douglas Murray, the director of the Centre for Social Cohesion, and was billed as The Great Debate: Sharia Law v British Law.

I was rather surprised that Murray had agreed to the debate as it seemed to cement the view that he was the secular equivalent of Choudary but apparently he believed that "his opinions had to be countered". As it happens, Murray did not even make it to the podium and the entire event was overshadowed by a conflict over male-female segregation. I was led upstairs the moment I entered the hall, unaware that there was a gender apartheid policy in effect. I was attending the event with a male friend who promised to save me a seat but a wave in greeting had to suffice as we were confined to two different sections, with the women suspended in a gallery overlooking the men and podium below. I could not help but think that the segregation held a symbolic significance, perhaps an indication of the group's vision of women under sharia law.

There was no counter-protest, predictably, from so-called "Anti-Fascists". I find it depressingly typical that the Left chunters on about the B.N.P. but takes no action against groups like Al-Muhajiroun. Even before the B.N.P. had some electoral success, absolutely no strategy was taken to challenge this extreme fringe group, which has successfully contributed to the recruitment of British Muslims for Holy War abroad. Instead, the Left panders to this micro-groups agenda, which is promoted by a bunch of dangerous cranks and religious ideologues.

Here's a press release from the 'Centre for Social Cohesion', who were due to debate with Al-Muhajiroun:

Harry’s Place Al Muhajiroun: Extremists and Thugs

The Centre for Social Cohesion (CSC) tonight urges the Government to ban the radical Islamist group al-Muhajiroun after police were called to a sharia law debate between CSC Director Douglas Murray and the newly appointed British al-Muhajiroun leader Anjem Choudary.

Al-Muhajiroun hijacked the debate, ‘Sharia law vs British law’, which was organised by a student society. Members of the radical organisation responsible for the Luton protests took over the debate: the SIA – licensed security guards were al-Muhajiroun and members of the group attempted to intimidate and segregate the audience. One member of the public who objected to the segregation was manhandled and assaulted as he tried to enter the men’s section with a woman. He is pressing charges. The Police took statements from eyewitnesses

Therein follows an account of the proceedings. No Leftists protesting, mind.

[lapsedmethodist]

There was an earlier post on this by the MPAC guy. Don't know what the thread title was though. He was pissed off that the student union refused to allow gender segregation !!!!