Imam in school Koran row said homosexuality ‘is barbaric’

AN imam involved in the row over a damaged Koran, which led to a 14-yearold boy receiving death threats, spoke about punishing Muslims for celebrating Christmas, it can be reveal.

Hafiz Muhammad Mateen Anwar, of the Jamia Masjid Swafia mosque in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, warned worshippers not to take part in Christmas festivities. “It is very important who you conform to, whose lifestyle you adopt,” he said. “If you conform to them you are becoming part of them.”

He also described music as “toxic”, “the rise of homosexuality” as “barbaric” and made sectarian remarks about more liberal followers of Islam.

The revelations come just days after he hosted a community meeting at the mosque alongside police, council leaders and the mother of an autistic schoolboy who pleaded for forgiveness for her son after he brought a Koran into Kettlethorpe High School as a forfeit.

The holy book – which Muslims are taught to handle with respect and care and in some cases wash their hands before touching it – was dropped on the floor causing a small tear and scuffing.

Mr Anwar told the meeting: “When it comes to the honour of the Koran we will stand and defend the honour of the Koran no matter what it takes.”

Responding to his comments, Dr Paul Stott, head of security and extremism at Policy Exchange, said: “This is not the first time those who demand tolerance for their own beliefs have been caught struggling to display it themselves.” Mr Anwar was contacted for comment.