Muslim Association of Britain
The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) is an Islamist group in the United Kingdom established in 1997.
MAB states its aim as to "promote and propagate the principles of positive Muslim interaction with all elements of society to reflect, project and convey the message of Islam in its pure and unblemished form".
It has been claimed "The Muslim Association of Britain itself is a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood"[1]. MAB admit that they have links with the Muslim Brotherhood but claim that they are an independent and an open organisation with membership who have diverse "...origins, cultures, traditions [and] schools of thought" [2].
MAB opposes the US extradition request for Babar Ahmad, a UK IT specialist who set up websites which urged Muslims to "kill the Americans and their allies-civilians". [3] [4] [5] [6] The Muslim Association of Britain also believes that Muslims who freely decide to change their religion or renounce religion should be executed. [7]
Along with Stop the War Coalition (StWC) and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, it has co-sponsored various demonstrations against the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq. MAB first started working with the StWC in 2002 when they agreed to join togeather a demonstaration they had planned to mark the anniverersary of the Second Palestinian Intifada with a demonstaration StWC had planned against the lomming Iraq war at the opening of the Labour party. The march took place under the dual slogans 'Don't attack Iraq' and 'Freedom for Palestine'.[8]
It encourages its members to vote certain ways in elections - it supported Labours Ken Livingstone for Mayor of London, Respect in London and the Green Party of England and Wales in South East England. In 2004, its president Anas al-Tikriti stood down to become a European election candidate for Respect in the Yorkshire and the Humber region. He was not elected.
MAB condemed the 7 July 2005 London bombings and joined the StWC in holding a vigil for the victims at the Peace Garden in Euston, London on Saturday 9 July 2005 and a further solidarity gathering at Russell Square, close to one of the Underground stations targeted, on Sunday 17 July 2005.[9]
Notes
- ^1 UK Houses of Parliment speach Louise Ellman, 18 Dec 2003
- ^2 MAB Responds To Vile Attack, Islamic Human Rights Commission, 13 August 2004
- [10] MAB Publication
- [11]US DOJ indictment
- [12] Washington Post
- [13]BBC News
- [14] The Guardian (newspaper)
- ^8 Unity with MAB, in Stop the War:The story of Britain's biggest mass movement, Andrew Murray and Lindsey German, ISBN 1905192002 P. 81-89
- ^9 Anti-war vigil attracts hundreds, BBC, 17 July 2005