Police probe into Muslim of the Year nominee who said: ‘There’s only one solution... which is jihad’
A PROMINENT activist once nominated for a ‘ British Muslim of the Year’ award is being investigated by police after she was filmed saying ‘jihad is the only solution’.
Sumaira Farrukh, 38, who has rubbed shoulders with Chancellor Sajid Javid and been pictured with Prince Charles, was filmed using the inflammatory word at a rally in Birmingham.
Mrs Farrukh, a businesswoman and journalist, spoke at a demonstration attended by hundreds demanding action over India’s plans to strip Kashmir of self-rule.
A host of Labour MPs including deputy leader Tom Watson, Jack Dromey and Liam Byrne had given speeches on the issue 24 hours earlier.
Mrs Farrukh denied inciting violence by using the word jihad, saying it simply referred to a struggle, and she was being singled out because she was ‘an outspoken woman in a headscarf’.
In the video, she is seen on the steps of Birmingham’s Council House last month, telling supporters: ‘ There is only one slogan for today. It is remove curfew from Kashmir. Let them live their own lives – nothing more than that. And one thing to truthtell to the Muslim community. There’s only one solution, which is jihad. No protest, nothing. Just jihad.’
Police have examined the footage and visited Mrs Farrukh at her home in Birmingham. Tensions are running high in Kashmir and there have been a number of protests in the UK including one in London at which windows at the Indian High Commission were smashed.
Jihad in Islam can mean any type of struggle but the word has violent connotations after being hijacked by terrorist groups such as Islamic State.
Miss Farrukh, who is chief executive of Noor TV, a Muslim channel, was a losing finalist in the ‘businesswoman of the year’ category at the British Muslim of the Year awards in 2017.
She is a strong campaigner for Muslim rights and regularly posts on social media. In April last year she hailed Mr Javid, now Chancellor, on his appointment as the UK’s first Muslim home secretary, writing on Facebook: ‘May Allah bless you with more courage to work for the community.’
Mrs Farrukh was also a member of a faith group set up by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street to organise a summit aimed at tackling community divisions in 2017.
Asked about her comments yesterday, she said: ‘The meaning of jihad is not a particular one meaning.
‘If you have a problem with the Government of the UK and you want to raise your voice, the struggle is called jihad in the meaning of Islam. Muslims know the meaning of the word in that context.
‘Do you think I’m the kind of person who would use that word to encourage people to go and fight? I work with communities and the British military encouraging the Asian community to join the Army – how can I encourage violence?’
Asked if it was wise to use the word in the current climate, she said: ‘The people who are criticising me are the ones who don’t want a woman to speak out.
‘There are men saying we are going to get freedom with guns. People are chanting bad words, saying come out and fight, but they don’t get investigated. People always attack me because I’m an outspoken woman.’
She said she did not regret her choice of words, adding: ‘ I’m very clear with my words. As a human, it is our responsibility to raise our voices for the people of Kashmir.
‘That is my meaning – stand up for the people who are suffering. Jihad is meaning struggle – the same meaning as if we are protesting outside 10 Downing Street.’
The footage of Mrs Farrukh at the rally on August 31 was passed to West Midlands Police at the force’s request.
A spokesman said: ‘ We are assessing the content to see whether any criminal offences have been committed.’
‘Don’t want a woman to speak out’