Preaching hate on the BBC, radical who’s out on bail
ONE of hate preacher Anjem Choudary’s closest henchmen has caused outrage by saying that Charlie Hebdo staff ‘knew the consequences’ of their actions.
Mizanur Rahman, who was once jailed for soliciting murder, branded the cartoonists foolish, saying: ‘They were throwing rocks at the beehive and now they’re wondering why they are being stung.’
The 31-year-old, who is under supposedly tight bail restrictions, was even given a platform by the BBC to air his views. Last night, campaigners warned his comments could incite further violence. Sam Westrop, director of counter-extremism group Stand for Peace, said: ‘It is truly rep- rehensible for him to speak like this, especially so soon after Paris.’
Rahman was given free rein to spout his extreme opinions about the massacre on Friday’s Newsnight. ‘It is inaccurate for people to think the prophet always forgave those who insulted him,’ he said. ‘Rather, there were many cases where the prophet ordered capital punishment for those put on trial for insulting him.’ And he continued his rhetoric yesterday, saying if people ‘provoke and misbe- have, what do they expect?’ In a sermon delivered i n London and streamed live online, he declared: ‘Britain is the enemy of Islam.’ He said there will be further attacks unless the West stops occupying Muslim countries and mocking the prophet.
‘Most Muslims across the world do not care about French Law, or freedom of speech, if that means you are free to insult Islam.’
Rahman’s actions are an embarrassment for police who arrested him last year on suspicion of terror offences. He is one of the closest lieutenants of Choudary, who was also controversially given a platform by the BBC after the killing of soldier Lee Rigby.
In 2007, Rahman was jailed for six years for soliciting murder during an Islamist rally. Yet he appears free to continue to inflame hatred.
Last night, Choudary defended Rahman and called for those who insult Islam to face death. The preacher, also on police bail after being arrested in the same round-up of terror suspects, said: ‘The punishment for insulting the Prophet Mohammed is capital punishment.’ The Met Police said Choudary and Rahman will answer bail later this month.
‘Britain is the enemy of Islam’