1. ryanscribe asked Jamal Harwood: "How do you respond to Ed Hussain's book 'The Islamist', where he paints you in a dangerous light and now calls for you to be banned?"
2. Jamal Harwood answer: "There is nothing new in this propaganda that merely repeats Tony Blair’s line of argument that there is a link between violence and holding the political ideas of Islam - ideas that carry massive public..." Show more»" There is nothing new in this propaganda that merely repeats Tony Blair’s line of argument that there is a link between violence and holding the political ideas of Islam - ideas that carry massive public support in theMuslim world. There is also a lack of any serious intellectual challenge from the likes of Hussain - on the one hand they say that they want to challenge our thoughts but then they call for banning - this is indicative of their inability to counter our thoughts. With regard to the proposal for a ban, this has been thoroughly refuted. These are just a few of the many statements made by those that have examined this question. 1. The Association of Chief Police Officers have said that they know "of no intelligence to justify a Hizb ut-Tahrir ban". [http:// politics.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1647285,00.html] 2. “I see no reason why HT should be banned on the basis of available evidence. I haven’t seen anything suggesting they have apologised for or glorified terrorism. I might not like their views but that doesn’t mean that they are criminal and that is an important distinction we have to make…members are against terror but can provide an insight into why people might become radicalised. It is important to know who one is dealing with in order to formulate a response.” [Bob Beckley, lead spokesman on community policing and counter-terrorism issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)] 3. "We have yet to see convincing evidence that Hizb ut-Tahrir as an organisation advocates violence or terrorism." [UK FCO Minister Bill Rammell, Hansard, 19/4/04] 4. "Hizb ut-Tahrir [HT] is an independent political party that is active in many countries across the world. HT's activities centre on intellectual reasoning, logic arguments and political lobbying. The party adheres to the Islamic Shariah law in all aspects of its work. It considers violence or armed struggle against the regime, as a method to re-establish the Islamic State, a violation of the Islamic Shariah." [Restricted Home Office Documents 19/8/03, Released to Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain 1/6/05 under FOI Act] "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Sep 23 2007 9:57:22 PM

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1. oneill asked Jamal Harwood: "Why do you call us derogatory terms such as "kuffar"?"
2. Jamal Harwood answer: "This word is mentioned in the Quran and translates as “non-Muslim”. Like all major faiths Islam too has a word to describe those that do not believe in its principles of belief. A Muslim most certainly..." Show more»" This word is mentioned in the Quran and translates as “non-Muslim”. Like all major faiths Islam too has a word to describe those that do not believe in its principles of belief. A Muslim most certainly would not want to be described as a non-Muslim, but a true non-Muslim should not have any concern with the word. My concern is that many have not taken up the challenge set forth in the Quran to consider life, its diversity, its detail, its dependence and not to conclude that there is indeed a Designer/Sustainer/Creator. Or to consider the intellectual challenge set forth in the Quran over the Quran’s authenticity as the word of God (“And if you (Mankind) are in doubt about that which We have revealed to Our Servant, then bring a chapter like it” [Quran 2:23]. I sincerely hope that those reading these questions and answers consider deeply these points before arbitrarily rejecting Islam. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Sep 23 2007 9:56:29 PM

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1. ryanscribe asked Jamal Harwood: "Should non-Muslims be worried about your desire for an Islamic caliphate? What's wrong with the systems of government we already have - and have fought for - over centuries of civil war and then democ..." Show more »"Should non-Muslims be worried about your desire for an Islamic caliphate? What's wrong with the systems of government we already have - and have fought for - over centuries of civil war and then democracy?" Show less »
2. Jamal Harwood answer: "We work to re-establish the Caliphate in the Muslim world, from where it was the dominant political system for centuries and in which those populations are seeking its return. A recent study by the ..." Show more»" We work to re-establish the Caliphate in the Muslim world, from where it was the dominant political system for centuries and in which those populations are seeking its return. A recent study by the University of Maryland published in April 2007 has confirmed the trend towards the Caliphate in the Muslim world, with the report stating: “Large majorities in most (Muslim) countries support the goals of requiring a strict application of sharia, keeping out Western values, and even unifying all Islamic countries into a single Islamic state (Caliphate)." The Caliphate provides a different historical experience to that you refer to from Europe, an experience of great stability and not built on the back of civil war. It is dangerous to frame all Political systems merely from the perspective of European history. Muslims want the Caliphate because it is based on their beliefs and has an historical track record. Attempts to impose western style democracy have failed – and are seen as associated with economic exploitation and political dominance by powerful Western governments. The support of dictators by democratic governments has also lessened respect for and distanced the people from that which you advocate. The Caliphate is a form of governance where authority lies with the people; the ruler is elected and accountable; and the laws are from Islam and not open to manipulation by the wealthiest in society. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Sep 23 2007 9:55:25 PM

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1. the6thestate asked Jamal Harwood: "Muslim's do not form a large enough group in any single constituency to get an MP elected-do you see this as an obstacle to your aims?"
2. Jamal Harwood answer: "We do not work for a Caliphate in this country and we do not campaign for Muslims to be MP’s here. Accordingly this is not an obstacle to our aims of establishing the Caliphate in the Muslim world where..." Show more»" We do not work for a Caliphate in this country and we do not campaign for Muslims to be MP’s here. Accordingly this is not an obstacle to our aims of establishing the Caliphate in the Muslim world where public opinion for this call is growing by the day. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Sep 23 2007 9:52:31 PM

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1. rezashah asked Jamal Harwood: "United Caliphate- what a load of claptrap! Even centuries ago the Muslim world didn't agree over succession. Thus the Suni/Shia split, which still encourages so-called "Muslims" to murder each other today..." Show more »"United Caliphate- what a load of claptrap! Even centuries ago the Muslim world didn't agree over succession. Thus the Suni/Shia split, which still encourages so-called "Muslims" to murder each other today in Iraq and elsewhere. But, since you know you're "right", I suppose your solution to dissent is to convince or, only if necessary, murder those who are "wrong"?" Show less »
2. Jamal Harwood answer: "Shia/Sunni are differing schools of thought in Islam, there is nothing inherent in the teachings of either school encouraging Muslims to kill those from other schools of thought – quite the contrary..." Show more»" Shia/Sunni are differing schools of thought in Islam, there is nothing inherent in the teachings of either school encouraging Muslims to kill those from other schools of thought – quite the contrary – this is expressly forbidden. The current invasion of Iraq and division of regions along sectarian lines by the occupying forces has engendered mass violence including Shia/Sunni, but most of the attacks are against the coalition occupying forces and there is also significant Shia upon Shia violence. This was never historically the case, either in the past century or during the centuries of the Caliphate. There will always be political and theological differences in any state. This violence, which we witness today ,was brought on by occupation and is exacerbated by plans to divide the country. "Show less«
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4. 2 comments   |  Topic: World Affairs   |   Email to friends   |   Sep 23 2007 9:46:20 PM

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1. rezashah asked Jamal Harwood: "You (unjustly) complain of discrimination against you in the UK yet are happy to see Christians and others mistreated in Muslim-majority countries. Aren't you basically childish, ignorant bigots who can't..." Show more »"You (unjustly) complain of discrimination against you in the UK yet are happy to see Christians and others mistreated in Muslim-majority countries. Aren't you basically childish, ignorant bigots who can't accept others' opinions? You don't "think" you're right, you "know" you're right, like all nutcases throughout history, e.g. Hitler." Show less »
2. Jamal Harwood answer: "We are not happy to see any peoples mistreated in the Muslim world and do not accept it at all. This is a major reason to campaign for the justice of Islam to return to these lands which are suffering..." Show more»" We are not happy to see any peoples mistreated in the Muslim world and do not accept it at all. This is a major reason to campaign for the justice of Islam to return to these lands which are suffering under the yoke of secular dictatorships. We believe that the Caliphate has the necessary checks and balances to ensure just leadership and fair treatment of all citizens regardless of belief. At the time of the Spanish inquisition Jews fled Spain and settled in the Caliphate and prospered. The fact that many old Churches still exist today in the Middle East and the Balkans for example, is testament to the fact that the right to follow another belief and worship in their places of worship was protected in the Caliphate. It is the absence of Islam not the existence of Islam that is causing the problems you raise "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: World Affairs   |   Email to friends   |   Sep 23 2007 9:45:00 PM

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1. Londontowner asked Jamal Harwood: "What message do you have for Osama bin Laden on the anniversary of 9/11? "
2. Jamal Harwood answer: "Our message for any one on the anniversary of 9/11 is that the main cause of the problems we have seen is the dictators plaguing the Muslim world, and the corrupt systems and western foreign policy ..." Show more»" Our message for any one on the anniversary of 9/11 is that the main cause of the problems we have seen is the dictators plaguing the Muslim world, and the corrupt systems and western foreign policy which supports them. The solution cannot be through any means except a political struggle that seeks an intellectual and political change, building a change in public opinion in the Islamic world, and by trying to highlight these injustices to people living here in the west. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Sep 22 2007 8:45:28 PM

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1. Londontowner asked Jamal Harwood: "What does Islam have to say about hypocrisy and double standards- such as endorsing judicial violence is one country because it is in accordance with Sharia (such as the death sentence in Iran) and condemning..." Show more »"What does Islam have to say about hypocrisy and double standards- such as endorsing judicial violence is one country because it is in accordance with Sharia (such as the death sentence in Iran) and condemning it in another (such as the death sentence carried out on Saddam)?" Show less »
2. Jamal Harwood answer: "There is unfortunately a lot of hypocrisy and double standards in the world today. Like talking about freedom and democracy for the Middle East then bombing, invading and enforcing a system. Like talk..." Show more»" There is unfortunately a lot of hypocrisy and double standards in the world today. Like talking about freedom and democracy for the Middle East then bombing, invading and enforcing a system. Like talk of human rights then opening a Gulag like Guantanoma Bay, use of extraordinary rendition (torture) and supporting some of the most brutal regimes in the world. Like calling for intervention in Darfur, where thousands are being killed, yet there are lucrative economic and strategic gains to be had, whilst ignoring Congo - where the death rates are if anything higher, yet the strategic gains are fewer. Like overthrowing Saddam one day, after supporting him for decades previously. Like condemning Muslim countries for having capital punishment, yet ignoring the fact that the USA still believes it has a role. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Sep 22 2007 8:41:37 PM

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1. rtatoud asked Jamal Harwood: "Do you think that as we are living the (difficult) birth of the Global Village chracterised by more freedom of movement, personal expression, interactions between people, openess to others, a Muslim-only..." Show more »"Do you think that as we are living the (difficult) birth of the Global Village chracterised by more freedom of movement, personal expression, interactions between people, openess to others, a Muslim-only state is a realistic and modern idea?" Show less »
2. Jamal Harwood answer: "The Caliphate is certainly not a Muslim-only state, it never was previously and will not be when it returns. Islam focuses upon the concept of citizenship, whereby all citizens regardless of faith are..." Show more»" The Caliphate is certainly not a Muslim-only state, it never was previously and will not be when it returns. Islam focuses upon the concept of citizenship, whereby all citizens regardless of faith are protected under the law. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “Whoever harms a Dhimmi (non-Muslim citizen of the State), it is as if he harmed me”. It is clearly forbidden to oppress a non-Muslim, in fact even the taxation levels for non-Muslim citizens are lower than those for Muslims. You raise an interesting point over freedom of movement, expression and interaction. In these matters the Caliphate has a very open immigration policy in which citizenship can be granted after a short period and there is little or none of the oppressive red tape, surveillance society, monopolised media and increasingly stifled political debate that we witness here in Britain for example. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Sep 22 2007 8:38:18 PM

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