Dear Nick
My knowledge of Hizb-ut-Tahrir is based on personal encounters
with many of the organisation's members. In my opinion the ideology
they promote is vile and reactionary - overtly homophobic,
overtly sexist and fiercely anti-semitic. A number of heated
debates about this organisation have taken place within forums such as
the National Union of Students, since the activities of this
organisation have in the recent past caused great concern for
students in campuses across the country. I have always been part
of a minority within NUS conferences/forums arguing AGAINST
a ban of Hizb-ut-Tahrir. I know that Islamic fundamentalist
organisations like this one are successful in gaining support from
young British Asian Muslims feeling alienated within their colleges
and wider communities. The most effective way of dealing with
the threat of organisations like Hizb-ut-Tahrir is through
challenging its members to public debate, exposing its ideology but,
more importantly, offering alternatives. As a student activist I
have ad hoc debated Hizb-ut-Tahrir supporters in FE college
canteens and university freshers fairs - it is the ideology I seek to
banish but in as open a way as possible.
Best
You wrote:
The web page of Hizb-ut Tahrir at www.khilafah.com is also
worth regular visits for analysis of world events from an anti-US
anti-capitalist perspective. They are a non-violent organisation
campaigning for a single Caliphate throughout the Islamic world.
They are based in England, although how long Straw et al will
tolerate them now is anyone's guess.
Nick Megoran
Camila Bassi
F-Floor Postgraduates
Geography Department
Sheffield University
Winter Street
Sheffield
S10 2TN.
Tel: (+44) (0)114 222 7956
Fax: (+44) (0)114 279 7912
Camila Bassi
F-Floor Postgraduates
Geography Department
Sheffield University
Winter Street
Sheffield
S10 2TN.
Tel: (+44) (0)114 222 7956
Fax: (+44) (0)114 279 7912
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