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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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1 September 2010
PRESS RELEASE: UK: Jewish Defence League and far-right groups planning to disrupt Al-Quds Day rally
The
organizers of the Al-Quds Day Rally in London, on 4 September, 2010,
have called for a high turn-out to show solidarity against
counter-demonstrations organized by Zionist and Fascist groups.
Police
have warned the organizers that the English Defence League (EDL), March
for England and the Jewish Defense League (JDL) groups are planning to
try to disrupt the event, which is organized by Muslim groups but
supported by others including the Stop the War Coalition and Jews
Against Zionism.
Since last year’s Al-Quds Day event, which was
marked by confrontations with counter-demonstrators including the EDL
and Zionist groups, supporters of the Palestinians have noted increasing
cooperation between Zionists and far-right groups trying to disrupt
pro-Palestinian demonstrations and activities.
Al-Quds Day is an
annual day of solidarity with the Palestinians and other oppressed
peoples marked by Muslims around the world at the end of the holy month
of Ramadan. Annual rallies marking the day have been held in London
every year since 1980. Supporters of the event in London this year
include the Muslim Council of Britain, the Stop the War Coalition, Jews
Against Zionism, the Islamic Forum of Europe and the Federation of
Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS).
Massoud Shadjareh, chair of the IHRC, said:
“Al-Quds
Day has traditionally been a peaceful family event attended by Muslims
and others from all over the country, as a demonstration of solidarity
with ordinary people suffering in Palestine. Last year’s problems and
the threat of similar problems this year, are deeply worrying therefore,
especially as the groups involved have a history of violence, and the
JDL has been linked with terrorism in the USA and elsewhere.
“The
growing alliance between apologists for Israel and far-right extremists
like the EDL, now regularly witnessed at pro-Palestinian events, is of
growing concern to all supporters of Palestinians in this country. We
strongly believe that everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, should be
able to express their views, and stand up for victims of oppression
anywhere in the world, without facing these sorts of threats and
intimidation.
“We hope those who share our concerns about both
the rise of racism and Islamophobia in Britain, and the plight of
Palestinians, will turn out on Saturday to make a clear point to those
who support racism and fascism in whatever form.”
Event Details:Date: Saturday, 4 September 2010
Time: 2.00pm
Place: Assembling at Marble Arch; marching to the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square.
Speakers include:• Sheikh Bahmanpour, Islamic College of Advanced Studies.
• Dr Daud Abdullah, Middle East Monitor
• Rabbi Ahron Cohen, Neturei Karta UK
• Yvonne Ridley, Author and Broadcaster
• Taji Mustafa, Hizb at-Tahrir
• Massoud Shadjareh, Islamic Human Rights Commission.
More details here:
http://www.ihrc.org.uk/events/9404-al-quds-day-2010
For further information, contact the IHRC Press Office on
(+44)208 904 4222 or
(+44) 7958 522196.
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The
Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative
status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Islamic Human Rights Commission
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