What you think ?

[Lily]

Muslim cleric Anjem Choudary vows to continue Wootton Bassett march - Telegraph

[eddybear]

A troublemaker who gives the majority of Muslims a bad name. Bad news for everyone

[Lily]

Well my opinion is Eddy, the people of Wootton Basset aren't making a political point. It is a simple act of respect and remembrance. The politics of it aside, no one likes war, no one in their right mind would encourage it and whether we agree or disagree with the war, it's happened and those boys are there and they paid the ultimate price. That alone is tragic. Yet these are making something political out of a simple act of respect and remembrance to those who gave their lives, it's not about supporting Governments or war. I remember loved ones I have lost in war, by doing that I am not condoning war.

[Lily]

If this goes ahead, there will be tears before bedtime, you mark my words.

[streetsinger]

I believe the march is ill advised and will indeed cause ill feeling between the non Muslim population and the Muslims, although, I can see the point they are making. Because of the, mainly US policy of protecting US troops by bombing areas before entering them, thousands of innocent Afghan men, women and children are being killed or maimed, many of which are related to Afghans in this country. If the Afghan people of Britain were to march to mourn their dead, this would be seen as antagonistic and that is the point they are making. I believe it would be a healing move for Wootton Bassett to invite the Muslims to join in mourning all the lost. I believe the war is wrong, it was originally waged against Al Qaeda who are now no longer there. Now it has mutated into a war against the Taliban who were never a threat and in fact have never been beaten, this is because they are Afghan and can melt into the population to appear at will. Any invading force that tries to wheedle out Afghans from Afghans is fighting a losing battle, far better invade the country proper and class all Afghans as enemies, if you intend to invade at all, this way when you subdue the country you will also subdue the Taliban, and then you can find them and deal with them at leisure. This is not my belief, I personally believe that this war is futile, ill-thought-out and a drain on the life and youth of our country. Far better to deal with terrorism by closing the door.

[eddybear]

......I can see the point they are making. Because of the, mainly US policy of protecting US troops by bombing areas before entering them, thousands of innocent Afghan men, women and children are being killed or maimed, many of which are related to Afghans in this country. If the Afghan people of Britain were to march to mourn their dead, this would be seen as antagonistic and that is the point they are making......

I think that this point could be a valid one. However, my suspicion is that this group is taking what is a valid one - that people in the UK could have lost relatives in civilian casualties - and using it as a smokescreen for trouble making. The very name of the group, "Islam4UK", tells us a lot about their driving motives.

I do agree that a joint march to remember the dead could be a healing thing. This march, if it goes ahead, certainly won't be. If it does go ahead, it would be great if the media just ignored it, and starved them of the publicity they crave. Sadly, I can't see that happening.

[smellycat]

do you believe the telegraph is telling you the truth.?

[streetsinger]

I think that this point could be a valid one. However, my suspicion is that this group is taking what is a valid one - that people in the UK could have lost relatives in civilian casualties - and using it as a smokescreen for trouble making. The very name of the group, "Islam4UK", tells us a lot about their driving motives.

I do agree that a joint march to remember the dead could be a healing thing. This march, if it goes ahead, certainly won't be. If it does go ahead, it would be great if the media just ignored it, and starved them of the publicity they crave. Sadly, I can't see that happening.

Sadly I believe you may be right eddy, this war is perfect for the enemy to dial up hatred and unfortunately the media would never look a gift horse in the mouth when it comes to ratings. As far as the Islamic marchers are concerned Islam 4 UK, if that is what it means "could" and I say that without much conviction, have peaceful intent. It could have been "Islam for Afghanistan, on the other hand as a worse case scenario, it could mean we intend to Islamise the UK. (shudder)

[Lily]

I do agree that a joint march to remember the dead could be a healing thing.

It never can be Eddy because the motives would be different.

[streetsinger]

When I initially posted on this subject I had not read the link that Lily posted about the march. I have since read it, and the link it contained
"What is-Islam4UK". On reading this I am totally opposed to the march and believe it should be stopped. Not only that, but I believe that this cleric and his followers should be expelled from Britain and sent to countries of their choosing. The main intent of Islam 4 UK is to turn Britain into an Islamic state overseen by Sharia law and they applaud all terrorist actions that have been perpetrated against the west. In saying this, I still believe that it would be a healing act to encourage the Muslim families who have lost innocent love ones in this conflict to hold marches of mourning of their own. I don't now think it would be a wise move to invite them to march alongside men who may have been instrumental in the deaths of their loved ones. I also believe what I initially said regarding the futility of this war that is being waged. To continue it, is to give valuable ammunition to these men of hate who use it to recruit their followers. Terrorism as I said should be managed at our borders.