Perspective: Child with black ‘jihadi’ flag at Anjem Choudary rally in London

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To accept extremists’ claim that this is their flag is similar to accepting the Union Flag or St George’s Cross as the property of ultra-nationalists.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: London Evening Standard
By Farooq Aftab | April 28, 2014

You picture a girl no older than 12 at a rally organised by notorious Muslim preacher Anjem Choudary holding a flag “associated with Al-Qaeda”.

The presence of young children was condemned by politicians and activists for its exploitative nature. Sarah Sands also spoke out against this in Tuesday’s Standard.

The flag and the slogan depicted on it, however, have nothing to do with the senseless hatred promoted by groups such as Choudary’s — these symbols have been hijacked. The Shahada calligraphy on the flag spells out the most fundamental of all Islamic beliefs. The black flag has been around since the time of the Prophet.

To accept extremists’ claim that this is their flag is similar to accepting the Union Flag or St George’s Cross as the property of ultra-nationalists.

It is the duty of ordinary, peace-loving Muslims to reclaim the sacred flag. As a Muslim youth association that believes in the flag and the slogan, we do our utmost to fulfil our duty towards our fellow human beings and the environment: arranging blood donations, feeding homeless people and helping in flood-relief efforts. On Sunday we hold our flagship charity event in Battersea Park, the largest Muslim rally of its kind, involving more than 2,500 runners; all are welcome and more than 20 charities will benefit.

We hope other Muslim communities come forward to take back not only the flag but the good name of Islam from the few extremists.

Farooq Aftab, Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association


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