British Ban al-Ghurabaa’ and The Saved Sect
I’m almost sorry to see them go because their websites provided me with so much material to discuss in class. As I write this the al-Ghurabaa’ site is done; the Saved Sect site is still up, at least for the time being. I’m certain that the individuals involved will reorganize and form new organizations and resume their work, just as they did when Sheik Omar Bakri Muhammad was deported and al-Muhajiroun proscribed. The Saved Sect site posted a response to the British government’s actions. I’ve appended it below, since the site may not be available much longer.
The Banning of Al-Ghurabaa and The Saved Sect
The British government on Monday 17 July 2006 proscribed Al-Ghurabaa and The Saved Sect, two Islamic organisations at the forefront of carrying the true Islamic call in the UK.
The British government, after having failed to engage with these organisations and put up any credible argument to counter their accusations and stand up to their challenges, has resulted in banning these groups with the aim of silencing them. The failure of the government to debate and discuss the issues of concern for the Muslims only adds fuel to the idea that this is a war against Islam and Muslims.
These groups are both Islamic organisations whose primary aims are to convey the Islamic call to the masses. As a result of their non-compromise attitude and the clear exposition of the British government’s policies towards Muslims – here and abroad – they have faced stiff criticism (from the non-Muslims and hypocrites). The media campaign has been ongoing with the demonising of its members and the clear lies against them in order to make headlines. This, together with the failings of the government regarding 7/7, Iraq and Afghanistan, has led to the banning of these organisations as a means of showing themselves to be making progress when the truth is far from it.
These groups were instrumental in challenging and exposing the corruption in society and offering Islam as a viable and immediate solution to the problems of mankind and as an alternative to the selfish and immoral capitalist way of life. They stood in defence of Muslims and supported their causes exposing the government in its discriminative and racist policies, at the same time uncovering their hidden agendas. They defended the honour of Islam and Muslims whenever it was violated and stood together with Muslims worldwide. Furthermore, they challenged and highlighted the fallacies of the so-called "war on terror", often asking the questions others were scared to even entertain.
The failure of capitalism as a way of life is becoming ever clearer, this being an example of it. A country that once claimed freedom of speech has displayed the failure of such an idea by preventing the voices that speak against it from doing so in the banning of these non-violent, political organisations. It is obvious that the government not only fears more bombing and potential suicide attacks, but it also fears Islam as a comprehensive system of life. The government fears the true Islamic revival and has no defence for it except censure and proscription. The only threat that capitalism as an ideology faces is the threat of Islam as a way of life, a very real threat that they are determined to fight against.
The nature of the non-Muslims is for them to impede the call of Islam and to fight against it on various fronts. Indeed the Messenger Muhammad (SAW) himself suffered boycott and censorship at the hands of the polytheists of Quraysh where they too prevented him from speaking. They didn’t allow Him (SAW) to use any public platform to convey his message and even restricted his movement, eventually placing a general boycott upon him which expelled him to the outskirts of Makkah. Yet he persisted in his duty and continued to carry the call of Islam despite what the people thought of him and what restrictions they tried imposing upon him. This is because the Deen of Islam is much greater and of more significance than anyone and anything.
If the government believes that by proscribing these groups they are in some way making progress in their war against terror or that it will dissuade people from committing acts of terrorism then they are severely mistaken. This would only be an illusion to those thinking that they live in an ideal world. If anything, this will increase the anger amongst the Muslims and ferment the notion that the British government is engaged in a crusade against Islam and Muslims and has further displayed its hatred towards us. Banning groups that do not engage in violence is a sign of weakness and defeat, not constructive policy.
The banning of these groups will potentially disrupt the security that the Muslims in Britain are living in, resulting in the creation of more enemies, a situation that the government does not need. The Muslims have a right to stand up for themselves, they have a right to defend their beliefs, their fellow Muslims and they also have a right to defend speaking the truth. This is a right that is ordained upon us by the Lord of the Worlds and an obligation applicable at all times and places.
