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12/01/2010
Fundamental Islam Group Banned
A radical Islamic group that planned to protest through Wootton Bassett will be banned under anti-terror legislation.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson has moved to outlaw the Islam4UK group, which said its forfeited march in the Wiltshire town would honour Muslims killed during the Afghanistan war.
The radicals, also known as al-Muhajiroun, told BBC News the group is "nothing more than a think tank and a pressure group".
Mr Johnson said the Home Office had laid an order which will "proscribe al-Muhajiroun, Islam4UK, and a number of the other names the organisation goes by".
"It is already proscribed under two other names - al-Ghurabaa and The Saved Sect," he said.
"Proscription is a tough but necessary power to tackle terrorism and is not a course we take lightly.
"We are clear that an organisation should not be able to circumvent proscription by simply changing its name."
The 2000 Terrorism Act stipulates that a group can be banned if it "commits or participates in acts of terrorism, prepares for, promotes or encourages terrorism or is otherwise concerned in terrorism".
Al-Muhajiroun founder Omar Bakri Muhammad warned the ban could drive members underground.
Speaking from Lebanon, he told the BBC: "It will increase the popularity of al-Muhajiroun and increase the membership, and I think it is a grave mistake because it will force them underground and he is playing with fire."
The group cancelled its planned demonstration on Sunday.
"We at Islam4UK have decided, after consultation with others including our Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, that no more could be achieved even if a procession were to take place in Wootton Bassett," said spokesman Anjem Choudary.
Government legislation banning membership will come into effect on Thursday, carrying a maximum 10-year jail term for anyone found signing up.
(PR/GK)
Home Secretary Alan Johnson has moved to outlaw the Islam4UK group, which said its forfeited march in the Wiltshire town would honour Muslims killed during the Afghanistan war.
The radicals, also known as al-Muhajiroun, told BBC News the group is "nothing more than a think tank and a pressure group".
Mr Johnson said the Home Office had laid an order which will "proscribe al-Muhajiroun, Islam4UK, and a number of the other names the organisation goes by".
"It is already proscribed under two other names - al-Ghurabaa and The Saved Sect," he said.
"Proscription is a tough but necessary power to tackle terrorism and is not a course we take lightly.
"We are clear that an organisation should not be able to circumvent proscription by simply changing its name."
The 2000 Terrorism Act stipulates that a group can be banned if it "commits or participates in acts of terrorism, prepares for, promotes or encourages terrorism or is otherwise concerned in terrorism".
Al-Muhajiroun founder Omar Bakri Muhammad warned the ban could drive members underground.
Speaking from Lebanon, he told the BBC: "It will increase the popularity of al-Muhajiroun and increase the membership, and I think it is a grave mistake because it will force them underground and he is playing with fire."
The group cancelled its planned demonstration on Sunday.
"We at Islam4UK have decided, after consultation with others including our Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, that no more could be achieved even if a procession were to take place in Wootton Bassett," said spokesman Anjem Choudary.
Government legislation banning membership will come into effect on Thursday, carrying a maximum 10-year jail term for anyone found signing up.
(PR/GK)
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