According to a report by Newsnight, which can be watched on the BBC website, and which has subsequently been covered by The Times, a senior member of Hizb-ut-Tahrir is working at the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate in Croydon.
Now, Hizb-ut-Tahrir has been recognised for some time as a militant Islamic organisation propounding extremist ideas. It seeks the reestablishment of the Caliphate, among other things, under which system all non-Muslims would be dhimmi and we would be subject to shari’a law. Hizb-ut-Tahrir has always maintained that it seeks to proselytise through peaceful intellectual channels, such as the New Civilization magazine and university campus campaigns, but Newsnight uncovered evidence of more radical, terrorist activities.
Shortly after the July 7 bombing attacks, the Prime Minister included the group in a list of those he planned to proscribe, but it has not been among those banned. Now one of his own offices is employing someone from that organisation. This is a disgraceful indictment on the selection process; but it is not that surprising. Indeed, it serves as a reminder of an even worse phenomenon in government, which is the reliance upon extremists as advisors and consultants in the policymaking process, as Martin Bright thankfully showed in a book earlier this year.
Comments (1)
Hizb-ut-Tahir is what it says it is, the problem is that real radicals join it as well.
So; No2id leadership doesn't advocate blowing up the ID registration centres, but some of its local groups have certainly discussed it.
Labour leadership doesn't openly advocate a fascist dictatorship - but I've heard Labour members say so...
Y'know, any organisation contains radical fringe members that represents the extremes.
The problem is that persecution (and that is an appropriate word) gives rebels a feeling of validation. They're not winning prizes anywhere else, but when you're being monitored by MI5, you sure do feel like you're someone - at least someone recognises you are important.
Posted by Chas | November 17, 2006 6:31 AM
Posted on November 17, 2006 06:31