On Wednesday blogger Scott Burgess at the Daily Ablution wondered why a liberal newspaper would employ Dilpazier Aslam as a journalist.
Aslam’s publicly stated views on the path to peace in the middle east, for example, are – how shall we say – a trifle “sassy” if not downright illiberal:
“The establishment of Khilafah is our only solution, to fight fire with fire, the state of Israel versus the Khilafah State”
Political compromise, attempting to co-exist with others in a crowded corner of the world, working towards peace – such concepts don’t trouble those whose roadmap to the future is paved with fantasies of a powerful Arab theocracy dominating the region.
Scott wrote to the Guardian pointing out the following:
Apparently, Mr. Aslam is, or was until very recently, a member of Hizb Ut Tahrir – an organisation which, according to the BBC, “promotes racism and anti-Semitic hatred, calls suicide bombers martyrs, and urges Muslims to kill Jewish people.”
He wondered:
Whether Mr. Aslam will remain employed by the Guardian now that you are aware of his affiliations.
He has yet to receive a reply.
Guardian rival, the Independent has now stepped into the row.
The Guardian newspaper is refusing to sack one of its staff reporters despite confirming that he is a member of one of Britain’s most extreme Islamist groups.
Dilpazier Aslam, who has been allowed to report on the London bombings from Leeds and was also given space to write a column in last Wednesday’s edition of The Guardian, is a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir, a radical world organisation which seeks to form a global Islamic state regulated by sharia law.
……Late on Friday The Guardian released a statement to The Independent on Sunday saying: “Dilpazier Aslam is a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir, an organisation which is legal in this country. We are keeping the matter under review.” The paper refused to comment further.
The position taken by the Muslim Council of Britain is encouraging
Speaking for the Muslim Council of Britain, Mr Inayat Bunglawala said: “For a party which claims it is open, you’d think this person would have disclosed his affiliations.”
Mr Bunglawala added: “The Guardian has a better record in giving space to minority voices but [by employing a Hizb ut-Tahrir member] it exacerbates the idea that this is a mainstream Muslim voice,” he added.
Hat tip: Luke in the comments box
