Muslims Against Crusades barred from using Slough Council premises

BBC News reports on the barring by Slough Borough Council of a group meeting on council premises at which Anjem Choudary was featured to speak.

The council intervened, according to the BBC, after it was ‘alerted to the possibility that the group was linked to Al Mahajiroun (sic) or Muslims Against Crusades (MAC)’. There is no mention of who or whom alerted the council to a possible connection between the group in Slough and Anjem Choudary or Muslims Against Crusades.

BBC News quotes Anjem Choudary’s response to the Council’s actions, saying: “The allegation is clearly anti-Muslim. Nothing untoward was taking place whatsoever. This intimidation and oppression is what Muslims face on a daily basis.”

The news report also quotes an officer from Thames Valley Police who explained: “We work closely with our partners at the council and local residents and take seriously any concerns about the spread of violent extremism and those who seek to radicalise. 

“Both Thames Valley Police and Slough Borough Council are committed to protecting communities from organisations which may seek to exploit them for extremist purposes.”

Muslims Against Crusades have engaged in a number of provocative stunts in recent years, some of them resulting in direct negative consequences for the Muslim community.