The English Defence League are to attempt to demonstrate in Wembley against a peaceful conference organised to bring greater understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. Such a conference should be welcomed by all and recognised as a positive step in building harmony and understanding.
The conference due to be held at the Wembley Arena on June 26th, is the Al-Khair Peace Convention 2010 and its aims are set out on their website:
"Peace, internal and external be it on an 'individual' or at a 'worldwide collective' level is a must for effective human progress and realistic global unity.
For people of all beliefs, this conference will be a learning opportunity to realize, reflect on and correct their misunderstanding (if any) about Islam in the light of talks by authoritative and renowned international speakers.
Conference Focus
* To create a better awareness and understanding of Islam and its message of peace for the entire humanity, in an objective way.
* To remove misconceptions, false fear and hate of Islam and Muslims globally.
* To realize that Islam is a just, righteous and peaceful way of life, with due care for human rights and moral values."
However such harmony , peaceful discussion and educational awareness is thought to be a threat to our society, according to the EDL. This exposes them for what they really are, a bunch of ignorant and bigotted Islamaphobes and racists with only one agenda- spreading racism, hatred and division.
Like most bullies, having run scared from attempting to show their face in Tower Hamlets, they thought they could find somewhere else to shout their hatred at.
Well, just like Tower Hamlets, the local community will remain united. Wembley is part of one of the most multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-religious boroughs in London. Near by is Harrow, where twice the EDL were shown the door by the mass united action on the streets .
The anti-fascists in Brent and Harrow are already mobilising, along with the UAF and others to ensure the EDL receive the message loud and clear, "racists and fascists keep out of our Wembley, you are not welcomed here or anywhere else". We promise them the same welcome that they would have recieved in Tower Hamlets!
The Welsh BNP put out a video last year, which was widely condemned by many, including the Football Association, which referred to Wembley as no longer being the Britain they know.Well for many of us who live and work in Brent, we are proud of our communities and we feel enriched by having a multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-religious society. We reject totally the racist, Islamaphobic and homophobic bigotry of the fascists and racists. We will not allow them to divide us.
We call on all anti-fascists and anti-racists to join us in Wembley, showing your support for our tolerant and united society and keeping these fascists off our streets.
We reject the use of scapegoating and division being instigated by the EDL, BNP and other racists and fascists. In Brent we are attempting to build a coalition of resistance to the Condem cuts budget on 22 June in defence of jobs and services. The fight to defend workers' rights and our living standards is closely linked to our fight against racism and fascism, along with our opposition to illegal wars in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Only the united action on the streets to prevent the fascists from coming to Wembley will stop this.
3 comments
alf · 14 June 2010
UNITE AGAINST FASCISM
?No to Racism
?No to Islamopohbia
?EDL not welcome here
The racist, Islamophobic English Defence League is threatening to demonstrate in Wembley on Saturday June 26th against a Peace Conference, organised by a Muslim charitable foundation and aimed at building understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. The EDL is an organisation of violent, bigoted thugs with proven links to the Nazi BNP. They should be condemned everywhere, but will be particularly unwelcome if they come to Wembley, part of this country’s most diverse borough. We are proud of our diversity. In the London Borough of Brent, people live and work together, children study, play and grow up together in peace and mutual respect, regardless of faith or skin colour. As residents and workers in the borough, we will not tolerate attempts to divide us or stir up hatred. We stood united to show that there was no place for racism and Islamophobia in the neighbouring borough of Harrow. We stand prepared to do the same in Brent.
This statement was initiated by UAF Brent & Harrow and national Unite Against Fascism. For further information or to add your name to the statement, contact: uafbrentandharrow@gmail.com
alf · 17 June 2010
Demonstrate against the racist EDL in Wembley
The racist English Defence League – which has links to the British National Party and other fascist groups – has announced that they plan to “protest” outside a charity event organised by the Al-Khair Foundation at Wembley Arena, north west London, on Saturday 26 June.
The Al-Khair Foundation is a registered charity that raises aid and delivered relief to Haiti and Kashmir after the earthquakes there. The convention that the foundation is organising at Wembley aims to “remove misconceptions, false fear and hate of Islam and Muslims” and to promote dialogue between faiths.
The EDL are using the convention as a pretext to target the local Muslim community in Brent, a London borough with a hugely diverse population.
Unite Against Fascism and local trade unions, local councillors and representatives of all the area’s faith communities, have signed a unity statement demanding that the EDL call off their protest.
Counter demonstration against the EDL in Wembley
Saturday 26 June, 1.30pm to 6pm
Outside Wembley Arena, Engineers Way, London HA9 0DH
(Wembley Park or Wembley Central tube)
Jenson N · 18 June 2010
SOrry to hear the new Dr Zakir Naik has been banned form the UK, lets hope his son can pass on his good work and give peace a chance.