Anti-Shariah demo - Piccadilly Square - Saturday 31st October 2009
By Morrigan Dunn
After the fundamentalist group ISLAM 4 UK, headed by Anjem Choudary in conjunction with al-Muhajiroun, cancelled their demonstration asking for Shariah law to be implemented in the UK, alleging threats from right-wing/anti-Islamic organisations, a number of Muslims and non-Muslims took to the square to speak out against Shariah nevertheless.
It was a refreshing sight to see so many Muslims joining us in our struggle, and holding placards saying:
- LAUGH AT THOSE WHO INSULT FREEDOM THEY ARE VERY SILLY PEOPLE.
- PLURALISM THE TRUE SOLUTION LIBERTY RINGS HER BELL
- SECULAR DEMOCRACY PROTECTS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SEPARATE MOSQUE AND STATE
- FREE SPEECH WILL DOMINATE THE WORLD ALL MAY SPEAK THEIR MINDS
The march for UK group was also present, raising citizens' morale by flying the St. George's Flag, the symbol of England, proudly.
Amongst some 300 anti-shariah activists, there was a lot of press, and many multi-racial small groups debating amongst themselves, while some journalists nearby started taking notes before joining the groups for a clearer opinion. All in all it was a day of high spirits and great atmosphere, with the full media attention turned towards those who oppose Shariah in Britain. This was more salient due to the lack of Muslim protesters on site.
The point was clear: Islam will NOT dominate. Freedom and Democracy, said the placard.
I had gone with some of my colleagues who are also members of the International Civil Liberties Alliance group, ICLA, to speak up against Shariah law in Britain, and while we were speaking members of the public joined us for debates, while the press journalists started recording and taking their notes.
Our position is very simple: We, the British people, do NOT want shariah law implemented in our land. Shariah is an Islamic law and Britain is not an Islamic country.
While some Muslims have claimed that the Jews have their own courts of law in Britain, we have pointed out that these courts of law are only allowed to decide civil matters, like marriage for example, and that these courts DO NOT supercede the British court of law.
Shariah would be in a different league altogether, by deciding also criminal matters as well as personal freedom matters, which cannot be legally accepted in Britain or in any part of Europe, since we uphold the HUMAN RIGHTS law. Shariah is against human rights.
Furthermore, under Shariah you are not permitted to leave Islam, and members of the Islamic community are encouraged to kill such person, whom they refer to as Apostate. This in itself is a breach of the Human Rights article 9, stated below on point 1:
Human Rights Act. 1998 - Article 9 Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
On point 2, of the Human rights decree, I bring to your attention the following: 2. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
The points are clear. One cannot manifest his religious beliefs when these beliefs conflict with the RIGHTS and FREEDOMS of others.Islamic Shariah is in direct conflict with the Human Rights Act. 1998 and as such it should be FORBIDDEN in the UK, and in any other civilized country.
Join us in saying NO to Shariah!
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