Politician told to cut down on public appearances after threats
ABIRMINGHAM Muslim councillor has told how he was threatened by a convicted terrorist after agreeing to testify in the trial of the terrorist’s son.
Speaking to the Birmingham Post, Majid Mahmood said he feared for his family’s safety and had considered leaving his home city.
The Hodge Hill Labour councillor gave evidence against ISIS sympathiser Humza Ali, 20, who had bombarded him with abusive messages. Ali was one of four Birmingham men jailed for terrorism offences. They had been pictured training at a paintball centre near Solihull.
But after agreeing to testify, he was approached in the street by Ali’s father, Shahid Ali, who himself was jailed for terror offences in 2009 after supplying camping gear and a mobile phone to Taliban insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“He came up to me, accosted me and threatened me and said “I’ll sort you out, afterwards”,” revealed Councillor Mahmood.
“We had a stand-off, eye to eye, I thought he might go for me, but he walked off.”
And, as recently as last week, another of Ali’s supporters recognised him in Ward End, and chased the councillor in his car.
“I am fearful for my safety and that of my family,” said father-of-three Cllr Mahmood, who is a solicitor.
He has been warned by police to cut down on public appearances, and was given extra security for this month’s city council and cabinet meetings. Security has also been stepped up at his home, with police helping plan precautions.
“My wife and I have considered moving away from Birmingham,” he revealed. “We have also talked about stepping away from politics.
“It has been the most difficult period in my life. I sometimes wake up thinking it’s just a nightmare.
“I’m constantly on guard, always fearful for my family.”
But he says that, although it has taken a toll on him and his family, he had to do his duty to deal with potential terrorists in the community.
“Staying silent is not an option, we have to stand up to them,” he I’m explained.
After going public he has also found a groundswell of support in the Hodge Hill and Alum Rock community. Friends have kept watch over his house, and at a community event this weekend he was surrounded by protective supporters.
“The majority of Muslims – in fact, almost all Muslims – do not condone the behaviour of Humza and are fear- ful that our religion of Islam, which is a very peaceful religion, is now being tarnished due to a vocal minority interpreting the religion for their own purposes,” said Cllr Mahmood.
Only ‘one or two’ people have criticised him for his testimony, one of whom branded him a ‘grass’ for going to the police.
Another has suggested that he should have dealt with it the “oldfashioned way”, keeping the police and authorities out, and letting the city’s Kashmiri community settle the issue.
“Terrorism is so serious it can only be dealt with by the police,” said Cllr Mahmood.
“It is not something the community can resolve by itself. There are lives at stake both here and abroad, if anyone suspects radicalisation they need to go to the police.
“We need to understand how the community can get involved to support the police in their work to tackle radicalisation of our vulnerable youth.”
I’m constantly on guard, I’m always fearful for my family Majid Mahmood