Undercover Mosque - Response

Response

Members of the British Conservative and Labour parties have requested an official investigation into the alleged dissemination of hate speech at mosques.

Muslim groups such as the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) have condemned the documentary as “another example of anti-Muslim hostility,” stating that it “exemplifies the problems of inherent Islamophobia and racism within the mainstream media.” The Muslim Council of Britain criticised it as “heavily hyped,” while its Secretary-General, Muhammad Abdul Bari, described it as employing the “dishonest tactic of selectively quoting from some recorded speeches for the purpose of misrepresentation.” The Islamic Cultural Center of London, the UK Islamic Mission, and the Markazi Jamiat Ahle-hadith organisations, all of whom are featured in the documentary, have issued separate responses. In a press release, the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London denied the charges made by the documentary, labelling them as “false allegations.”

The Saltley Gate Peace Group issued a press release giving its “undiminished support” to the Green Lane Masjid stating that Imam Abu Usamah “…is accepted by much of his congregation and the wider interfaith community to be a peaceful man and is known to promote peace to his congregation,” and that Abu Usamah “…encourages worshippers to avoid ‘political Islam and radicalism.’”

"The 'throwing the homosexual of the mountain' comment was actually a quotation from Ibn 'Abbas, the famous Sahabi, who said: "Look for the highest building in the town, and then throw them down and stone them like the abode of Lut's people." It is from a book called Al Kabair (major sins) by Adh-Dhahabi, on which the imam in the Dispatches program was giving a lecture series.

Abu Usamah of Green Lane mosque, also has alleged that his words were taken out of context.