advise. Only then can we work with them to discredit Al
Qaeda’s aberrant doctrines.”
173.
174.
In his conclusion, Sheikh Chowdhury proposed a four-fold, more proactive and
collaborative strategy for dealing with extremist ideology:
(1)
firstly, using credible Muslim scholars “to educate the masses…to build
theological resilience within the Muslim youth”;
(2)
secondly, countering “media hostilities against mainstream Muslim
organizations” by a “concerted marketing campaign to help push out the key
messages of independent Muslim scholars to the vulnerable sections of
society”;
(3)
thirdly, engaging “the average Muslim towards becoming proactive
participants in their community” through “grass roots community
development organisations”; and
(4)
fourthly, using “every avenue and every opportunity to reduce any possibility
of violent extremism in Cardiff”.
Sheikh Chowdhury concluded his speech with the following peroration:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Islam is a religion of peace and
enough of its history – world history over the past 1,000 years
is proof of this fact. Terrorism and extremism is not a result of
attachment to Islam, rather it is entirely due to a long
detachment from it! The earlier that we realize this point, the
better we can all prepare to cooperate and collaborate in
making this world a safer place for us and our children.”
175.
Sheikh Chowdhury no doubt hoped, and expected, that his speech would be widely
welcomed in the Muslim theological and intellectual community, and certainly by
moderate Muslim Imams. The fact that it was not at all welcomed by the Claimant is
telling.
Analysis of Claimant’s response
176.
I turn to analyse the Claimant’s “Advice” in response to Sheikh Chowdhury’s speech.
The following points appear to me to be pertinent.
177.
First, given the moderate and measured thrust to Sheikh Chowdhury’s basic message
(namely that credible moderate Muslim scholars must be harnessed, not marginalised,
in the fight against extremism and terrorism), it is surprising that the Claimant did not
warmly endorse Sheikh Chowdhury’s speech.
178.
Second, it is surprising that the Claimant did not seek to align himself with the body
of credible moderate Muslim scholars highlighted by Sheikh Chowdhury if he
identified himself as belonging to that cohort.
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