The UK government has taken the decision to ban Islam4UK under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Yesterday (11 January) five Muslim men were found guilty of making threats during a march by the Royal Anglican Regiment through Luton town centre in March 2009.

The threats included accusations of the British soldiers as rapists, baby killers and murderers and angered many of Luton’s residents who had turned out to show their respects.

Following a six-day trial, the five men – Shajjadar Choudhury, 31, Munin Abdul, 28, Jalal Ahmed, 21, Yousaf Bashir, 29 and Ziaur Rahman, 32 – were found guilty of making threats and given conditional discharges for two years as well as being ordered to pay £500 in costs towards the prosecution.

In defence the men said they were simply exercising their right to free speech. However, the Judge rejected this and said that their behaviour “went beyond reasonable, legitimate process.”

One banner waved outside the court as the defendants left yesterday read: “Islam will dominate the world. Freedom can go to hell.” Quite in contradiction to the words of Shajjadar Choudhury who was quoted as saying that the trial showed the failure of freedom of speech and democracy.

In December, Islam4UK – headed up by so-called ‘Preacher of Hate’ Anjem Choudary – announced plans to march along the streets in Wootton Basset, Wiltshire to honour Muslims killed in the Afghanistan conflict. However, as well as attracting wide condemnation from MPs, a Facebook group against the march attracted nearly 30,000 members.

The group has since called it off and said that despite only declaring a desire to hold a procession “it has been successful in highlighting many important issues” – namely “focusing the minds of many within the Muslim community and the wider society on the rights and wrongs of Afghanistan.”

Many people will agree that these Muslim extremists cannot have it both ways. On the one hand they seem to abhor British culture and way of life, yet on the other hand they expect people to welcome them with open arms as they seek to protest and demonstrate in such a vengeful manner.

They also do not say no to the government benefits they are all in receipt of and Islam4UK themselves say they enjoy living in the UK for the security and protection it offers.

One of the unfortunate side-effects of the volume of newspaper inches this story and that of the proposed demonstration on the streets of Wootton Basset has attracted is the country-wide condemnation of the Muslim religion.

We need to remember that actually it is only a minority who choose to seek attention for their cause by inciting violence and hatred. There is a much larger Muslim community who think that the actions of these five are deplorable.

The UK government has today announced plans to ban the Islam4UK group (which is also known by several other names including al-Muhajiroun) under the Terrorism Act 2000 which says a group can be banned if it “commits or participates in acts of terrorism, prepares for, promotes or encourages terrorism, or is otherwise concerned in terrorism.”

However, Islam4UK has already hit back and called the British government “hypocrites” and say that this ban surmounts to dictatorship by the Labour government.  

If the members of Islam4UK are so devout in their anger over the British culture, why they continue to enjoy a life funded by the UK government is beyond reason. If this country angers them so much then maybe they would be better received and live a much happier life in a Muslim country, where military, political and religious decisions are more consistent with their own beliefs.

Unfortunately it seems that the fight between religions over who is right seems to be never-ending, and as we live in what we are told is a democracy, everyone should be allowed to have their right to free speech – this is something we celebrate in the UK.

However, if this right is abused in ways that incite violence and anger then maybe someone does need to stand up for the majority.