UK: Extremist faction protests over moderate Muslim exhibition in Huddersfield

“I consider myself a Muslim as do my colleagues. We believe in the Holy Book and the Holy Prophet but if someone considers me not to be a Muslim he is entitled to his opinion. We live in a country with freedom of speech and expression.”

A similar Ahmadiyya Muslim Quran exhibition was protested by extremists
in India as well.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Huddersfield Daily Examiner
By January 24, 2012

ANGRY Muslims in Huddersfield have denounced a group in the town.

They claim that the Ahmadiyya Muslims are not true Muslims and have condemned them for hosting an exhibition of the Holy Koran.

The criticism has come from the Kirklees Muslims Action Committee, which claims to represent more than 15,000 Muslims across the district.

But a spokesman for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association insisted they had no gripe with the Action Committee and said they were entitled to hold their own views.

Action Committee members held a peaceful protest as the exhibition was held at Huddersfield Town Hall, organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, which has a base at Fartown and in Huddersfield.

The organisers invited the Mayor of Kirklees Clr Eric Firth and Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney to the exhibition.


But Mr Amar Usman Ali, a spokesman for the Action Committee, said they were offended by the event.

“We believe that it is time the Muslims of Huddersfield did not allow a local group to use our name to hold any future exhibitions, and have been hurt and deeply upset over the lack of consultation with the Muslim community prior to holding this event.

“Whilst we do not expect the community to be sympathetic we would like to clarify our position on this group.

“The World Muslim League in April 1974 declared that the Ahmadiyya are falsely claiming to be an Islamic sect.

“The Koran is the holy book of the Muslims and it should be patently obvious to all that matters concerning Muslims such as an exhibition should be left to the Muslims themselves.”

Mr Fatih Ul-Haq, a spokesman for the Ahmadiyyas, said: “We spoke to the people taking part in the protest and they are entitled to their views.

“We want to live in peace and harmony with all the community and we do not want to have disagreements with any group.

“The Koran is a book for everyone and that was one of the reasons we organised the exhibition.

“I consider myself a Muslim as do my colleagues. We believe in the Holy Book and the Holy Prophet but if someone considers me not to be a Muslim he is entitled to his opinion.

“We live in a country with freedom of speech and expression”.


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