HIZB
UT-TAHRIR CONDEMNS VIOLENT PROTESTS
(6 February 2006)
Following
a noisy protest outside the Danish Embassy in London on Saturday
4th Feb, Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain reiterated the need for Muslims
to protest peacefully and responsibly in response to the publication
of offensive caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him) by European media outlets. The
demonstration was attended by several thousand Muslims from across
the UK.
It
was addressed by leaders of Hizb ut-Tahrir, Imams of mosques and
community leaders who urged Muslims to demand that Western governments
exert pressure on their media outlets to retract the offensive caricatures
of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), apologise for the offence
caused and guarantee no further repetition of such abuse. Speakers
at the demonstration also urged the Muslim community to respond
in a peaceful and responsible manner.
Dr
Imran Waheed, a media representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain,
said, "While strongly condemning the publication of these caricatures,
we also unequivocally condemn those who are urging violent protests
or inciting hatred against others as stated at yesterday's demonstration,
the Muslim community in Britain must be vocal in protest, but should
not stoop to the level of those who have provoked our community."
"As
the majority of media outlets have accurately reported, yesterday's
demonstration was peaceful, passed off without incident and bore
no relation whatsoever to the demonstration on Friday. However we
are surprised at a minority of media outlets who seek to link our
peaceful and responsible protest with a completely unconnected demonstration
on Friday. We would like to point out for the record that we had
no connection whatsoever with Friday's demonstration and will not
tolerate the incitement of violence or hatred."
"At
this juncture, the way forward is neither in continued publication
of offensive cartoons nor violent protests, but in sincere and robust
intellectual debate and dialogue regarding Islam and the West."
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