A neo-Jacobin

Abu Izzadeen: more media-whore, than religious 'warrior'

Home Secretary John Reid certainly looked surprised when he was told by Abu Izzadeen, that the minister had some front coming 'to a Muslim area'. Well, even I was surprised by that, because since when has Leytonstone been a 'Muslim' area? The radical Muslim Abu Izzadeen, sounds as if he spends more time in wannabe 'jihadist' chatrooms than he does on the streets of E.11. For all his talk of speaking on behalf of Muslims worldwide, and even in places where he's never been to - what I'd really like to know is, how could such a babbling fool exercise so much influence over the British media?

Again, this morning on the BBC's flagship radio programme Today, proves that in this current political climate, you no longer need to have a convincing arguement, nor do you need support from a constituency to galvanise attention from the British media - all you need to do is proclaim that you speak on behalf of the oppressed, and constantly remind us that Muslims in Britain have never had so bad. Izzadeen does remind me of others who say they speak on behalf of other people, like for example, environmentalists who are forever banging on and on about doing something on behalf of the 'public', or for 'future generations'. Or, anti-abortionists who stand up for the rights of the unborn fetus. We shouldn't forget the anti-globalisationist, has-been pop star, Bob Geldof, who can hardly stop speaking on behalf of some 900 million Africans.

The truth is, Abu Izzadeen thinks nothing of exaggerating the extent of discrimination against Muslims in Britain. The sooner the British media stop flattering such self-indulgent emotionalism, the better for us to debate what really matters, like 'what do we stand for' - but, don't get me wrong here, in a secular and pluralistic society, Izzadeen should have the right to say what ever he wants (even though he openly admitted on the Today progamme that he hates free speech - wonder where he got that idea from?). It's a very real shame our government won't stand up and support such a fundamental belief, which is the very foundation of our open society - maybe if they did, radical Islamists like Izzadeen would be a mere footnote, rather than a front-page splash.

Update: Take a look at this excellent piece on the subject, by a guest writer over at Bob From Brockley

posted by Courtney Hamilton @ 1:17 PM