17.
The Claimant pointed to the fact that he has publicly spoken out against ‘ISIS’, in
particular on 20th September 2014 when he made an appeal for the British hostage,
Alan Henning, to be released.
18.
The Claimant also pointed to the fact that, on 22 nd May 2013, the LIC issued a press
statement condemning the murder of Lee Rigby (both Michael Adebolajo and Michael
Adebowale were attendees at Friday prayers at LIC). He said that if he had somehow
come to know that the Lee Rigby killers were about to commit murder, he would have
reported them to the police. He referred to the fact that he said the following in his
Friday sermon (khutba) on 24th May 2013:
“…[T]he tragic events which took place in Woolwich, the
brutal killing and murder of Lee Rigby goes against the very
foundations of our Religion and the characterisation of a
Muslim. As Muslims, we find this act to be something totally
abhorrent and unacceptable and we extend our and the
condolences of the Lewisham Muslim community to the family
and friends of Lee Rigby for their loss.”
19.
The Claimant explained how stunned and surprised he was to learn from friends and
attendees at the LIC that he had been labelled “an extremist preacher who promotes
violent jihad” by the BBC Sunday Politics show. He said it was very damaging to him
personally as an Imam. The Claimant said he assumed that the BBC had misquoted
from a speech he had given at the East London Mosque on 22 nd August 2013 where he
had said as follows:
“…[T]he highest form of jihad was to speak the truth in front of
tyrant ruler in the footsteps of Jesus (peace be upon him) and
his stance against the Romans; following in the footsteps Moses
(peace be upon him) in the stance against the Pharaoh;
following in the footsteps of Abraham (peace be upon him) in
his stance against Nimrod…”.
Role of Chief Imam
20.
As Chief Imam, the Claimant has overall responsibility for managing the religious,
community and educational affairs of the LIC. He leads prayers, particularly the
Friday congregational prayers (jumua') which are attended by over 2,000 members of
the local Muslim community in and around Lewisham. He also leads funeral prayers,
conducts Islamic marriages (nikah), gives lectures and sermons and manages the
LIC’s counselling and outreach work. In his own words, he together with the other
Imam based at the LIC provide spiritual guidance, support and assistance to the
diverse congregation.
21.
The Claimant accepted three points in cross-examination by Mr Caldecott QC: first,
that, as Chief Imam, he had a core role in setting the tone and syllabus of religious
instruction at LIC; second, young men who were also involved with teaching religious
instruction would take their lead from him; and, third, Muslims who attend a
particular mosque like LIC would look to their Chief Imam for guidance as to how to
live a good Islamic life.
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