Extremists call for 3 Islamic states in Britain

The extremist group called "Muslims Against the Crusades" has called for the establishment of three independent Islamic states in Britain. The Yorkshire towns of Dewsbury and Bradford, along with Tower Hamlets in East London, were selected as the locations where the rule of Islamic law would first be applied. According to a document on the group "MAC" they will work entirely outside of the British rule, and will rely solely on Islamic law. This plan has raised fears in British society and among moderate Muslims. The group which is led by Abu-Assad 'Allah, says it stands by the slogan: "Muslims should establish Islamic emirates in Britain" stating, "We think that the time has come to declare areas with a high Islamic population density as Islamic emirates, where Muslims can live under Islamic law in their courts, communities, and schools, and even in private trade. Potential areas for these projects to be set up are Dewsbury, Bradford, or Tower Hamlets." The document on the group added: "With the passing of time it is possible to imagine that Shari'a law may someday be implemented and enforced in these areas." The call is likely to cause anger among moderate Muslims, and community leaders in the areas concerned. The head of Bradford Council, Ian Greenwood, said: "The people will not allow extremists to provoke them to act violently." In a related incident, in 2007 there were allegations that a number of Muslims in Dewsbury were running an illegal trial for Islamic schools. There were similar allegations in the areas of Tower Hamlets and Bradford. The Tower Hamlets Council was also accused last year of falling under the control of extremist groups, after a documentary by the journalist Andrew Gilligan was released in "The Daily Telegraph". It is significant that Mohammad Sidique Khan, who is believed to have carried out the suicide attacks of the 7th July in London, had lived in Dewsbury, and fought with the aim of spreading extremism in recent years. The afore mentioned plan is part of "Muslims Against the Crusades’" reaction to the government's strategy to combat Islamic extremism. It has called for an end to the CCTV cameras in and around mosques, stating: "They should get rid of all the CCTV cameras inside Muslim institutions.” Many mosques have adopted CCTV cameras to spy on Muslims on behalf of the police and local authorities, among other regulations. The group also demands the release of all Muslim prisoners, and rejects the plan for Muslims to join the police or the armed forces. It also rejects the British democracy. The document ends by saying, "We can conclude that the measures taken by the British government are nothing more than an attempt to strip the Muslim community of its Islamic identity, and to force Muslims to integrate into a way of life that does not suit them.” Chancellor Greenwood added, "Extremism is not likely to appear when people get the opportunity to migrate and live with others in one environment. The local voluntary community, religious groups, and the Council, along with other members of the public and private sectors are working together in Bradford to strengthen relations between the members of the community, and to promote understanding and respect between all communities. We believe that this is one of the best ways to build a tolerant society in which extremism does not play a role." Tower Hamlets, and Kirklees Council, which represents the local authority for the Dewsbury area, refused to comment.