From Vladimir Putin to Tony Blair, it seems that those in whose hands international politics currently lies see Terrorism as the foremost enemy which needs to be tackled as we turn into a new Millenium. Russia's excuse for creating over 200,000 refugees in Chechnya is that it is fighting Terrorism, similarly the US use Terrorism as the cause of their continued detention of Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman and the bombing of innocent civilians in Iraq. Britain, eager not to be seen as a haven for Terrorism, have joined the bandwagon and declared that they too have waged a war against Terrorism culminating in the announcement of imminent amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Bill 1989.

Whereas before Terrorism was defined as 'the use of violence for political ends, and includes any use of violence for the purpose of putting the public or any section of the public in fear' [Blackstones, Chapter 25, p.1890] the new amendments will probably read 'the use of serious violence against persons or property, or the threat to use such violence to intimidate or coerce the government, the public or any section of the public, for political, religious, or ideological ends' Although on the face of it the new bill does not state which religious or ideological ends are being targeted commentators have already intimated that it is likely to cover incitement by foreign dissidents living in Britain such as Dr Muhammad Al Mass'ari (leader of CDLR) and Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad (Judge of The Shari'ah Court of the UK and Leader of Al-Muhajiroun). To put it bluntly these Muslim activists working to overthrow the corrupted regimes in Muslim countries and to liberate Muslim land occupied by foreign forces are now to be the target of a witch hunt by the British government in order to secure its economic, military and political interests in those countries, at the expense of their interests and those of other Muslims who support this cause.

In addition, under the proposed legislation an organisation considered to be involved in Terrorist activities will be subject to further penalties such as having its property confiscated etc. So what is the Islamic response and the response of the Muslim community to these developments? For the average Muslim in Britain Tony Blair has already declared war against Muslims world wide by bombing Iraq and supporting the state of Israel and they will no doubt see that this bill intends to silence anyone who speaks up or acts against such atrocities.

The reality is that Muslims, who make up the biggest proportion of ethnic minorities in Britain, have always supported the military struggle in Kashmir, in Palestine, in Kosova and now in Chechnya as a matter of divine obligation and it is therefore inconceivable that they will now remain silent at such atrocities simply because the government might seek to outlaw such actions since the Messenger Muhammad (saw) said: "The Muslims are a unique nation among the whole of Mankind: Their war is land, their land is war, their peace is one and their honour is one"

If the new legislation makes their actions illegal then a new growth of underground Islamic movements will almost certainly arise in order to avoid prosecution, but what is absolutely clear is that the political and ideological struggle against the implementation of oppressive man made law both here and abroad and the military struggle against the occupation of Muslim land, wherever it is, will continue. Hence Al-Muhajiroun, on behalf of Muslims in Britain, want to make it clear to the British establishment and the Blair government that Muslims will not be deterred from supporting the Mujahideen in Kashmir, Chechnya, Palestine or indeed in Iraq since our belief and ideology is not subject to trade or compromise.

Instead we invite the Government to reconsider its stance on Iraq and Israel, and other unjust wars fought in the name of 'Democracy' and 'Freedom' but which in reality fall more fairly and squarely under the definition of Terrorism than Muslims defending their lives, wealth and honour. Ironically the new bill will force the government to take a stance and side in conflicts such as Kashmir and will therefore unavoidably make them part of the conflict. Those stopped from supporting their causes by the government will consider them co-operating in the oppression and therefore an obstacle in the path of liberation not perhaps quite as much in the interests of the British government as at first seems!

AL-MUHAJIROUN

The Voice, The Eyes and The Ears of The Muslims

P O Box 349 London N9 7RR Tel: 0181 884 0074 or 0171 474 3746 Fax: 0181 803 4541 Mobile: 0956 92 0006 or 0956 600 569 or 07932 056 611 Internet: www.almuhajiroun.com or www.obm.clara.net E-mail: almuhajiroun@yahoo.com