Whilst policy-makers argue about who is to cause for ‘rising levels’ of extremism – the online battle between Muslim groups, organisations and commentators in the UK has gathered pace.
‘Muslim spokespersons’ and their ardent critics have gone head to head again on Twitter.
There have been some fierce Twitter exchanges following recent news items and at the wrong end of the spectrum tend to be the likes of Maajid Nawaz and Sara Khan.
This week after allegations that a Tory MP had been attempting to stage manage a mosque protest alongside the EDL, Qulliam Foundation Co-Founder and Director Maajid Nawaz had to defend himself again.
The accusation was that Tory MP Afzal Amin met with Tommy Robinson through an introduction by Maajid Nawaz. Prompting the former EDL leader to come to his... (no pun intended here) ...defence.
Beyond meeting Afzal at an open meeting a yr ago- organised to introduce me to Muslims after I left EDL-Maajid had no idea about this at all
— Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) March 23, 2015
The Afzal Amin affair though brought out a level of criticism for other Muslim spokes people.
Inspire Director Saira Khan, hits back at accusations on a blog.
@MaajidNawaz funny how that site tries to take the moral high ground while it slanders, lies, backbites & baseless accusations. #cowards
— Sara Khan (@SaraKhanInspire) March 23, 2015
Maajid who is also parliamentary candidate for the Lib Dems in Hampstead & Kilburn spoke of his frustrations at being targeted over and over again.
Sort of stuff my family & I have to deal with every day. The dark side to my #BlameQuilliam hashtag. Islamists are personal, and relentless
— Maajid Nawaz (@MaajidNawaz) March 23, 2015
‘Islamist’ certainly does seem to be the word of the moment though. Telegraph Writer Andrew Gilligan found himself the target of a ‘Twitter Storm’ after accusing pro-democracy groups YouElect and Mend (Muslim Engagement and Development) as "clever fronts" to win political access and influence for Islamists.
The response from MEND the campaign group was damning who tweeted:
"Shock horror, British Muslims are encouraging voting and active participation in democracy. Thanks Gilligan for exposing that!"
YouElect were a little more subtle..
Muslims have the right to participate in the political system just like all other British citizens. Don't miss out register to vote now!
— YouElect (@YouElect) March 22, 2015
Then they decided to raise a Pakistani flag in Rochdale.
Pakistan flag raising in #Rochdale today. Lovely occasion. Here with Mr Darr & Hafiz Ikram - good friends. pic.twitter.com/rZYjBXx5XT
— Simon Danczuk (@SimonDanczuk) March 23, 2015
and Katie Hopkins couldn’t resist herself.
Are these your friends too @SimonDanczuk? Is this why you are raising the Pakistani flag in Rochdale? 77 years inside pic.twitter.com/wcyuPM1JVl
— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) March 23, 2015
Rochdale has had its problems & no one has spoken on grooming more than me. But to equate every Pakistani with grooming is a racist slur
— Simon Danczuk (@SimonDanczuk) March 23, 2015
And from Mohammed Shafiq...
The Pakistani groomers shamed the community and that flag but don't tarnish every British Pakistanis
— Mohammed Shafiq (@mshafiquk) March 24, 2015
With an election on the horizon...watch this space.
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