Viewers of Question Time yesterday will have heard the exchange of views by Charles Moore, columnist in the Daily Telegraph, and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi (both pictured), on the MCB.

Moore used the discussion on the protestors in Luton as an opportunity to tarnish the MCB, which he slandered with his ill formed remarks on its stance and statements concerning soldiers and individuals kidnapped in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Moore’s illiteracy is to be marveled at. Firstly, the MCB does not claim to be the umbrella group for all Muslim groups in the country – it is however the largest and most diverse umbrella group representing and reflecting the views of those Muslim organisations that of their own volition apply for affiliation to the MCB; a relationship that is regulated by the MCB's Constitution. This is made patently clear in every press release issued by the MCB and can be read on their website.

Secondly, Moore’s blithe misrepresentation of the views expressed by the MCB on the kidnapping and killing of British soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, is sickening. Here are just a few of the statements released by the MCB over the last few years and in response to the callous use of Britons, soldiers and civilians, as hostages by armed factions:

MCB Urges Immediate Release of Norman Kember in Iraq

MCB Calls for Immediate Release of Hostages In Iraq

British Muslims Call For Release of Ken Bigley

MCB Calls for Release of British Hostages in Gaza

Moore went on to say ’I really do feel it is time that people spoke up against this bogus Muslim leadership that keeps being talked up by the government, they are constantly pulled into talks, you see them on the television, they are described as moderates, they are not. They are not representative, but they are very powerful. And they get a lot of government money and we have had enough of them.'

The MCB will certainly be amused at the inference of huge sums of government money being received – any Freedom of Information request on the money directed to Muslim groups in recent years will reveal huge amounts given by the Home Office and Foreign Office to pro-Israel outfits like the Quilliam Foundation and virtually nothing given to the MCB.

But Moore was not alone in his ignorant remarks. Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, peddling the usual Conservative claptrap about how Muslims should be engaged with as individuals and individuals only, began with:

‘I think Charles Moore is mistaken on so many different issues’, before proceeding to concur with his ill informed views by saying, ‘First of all, the Muslim Council of Britain does not represent all Muslim opinion in this country...’

The MCB has never professed to represent all Muslim opinion. Has the Baroness not been listening?

She went on:

‘[T]hey are not the umbrella organisation. It is awful to assume that somehow British Muslims are this homogeneous group which can be represented by a 'community leader'. It is appalling. British Muslims in this country are individuals with individual needs…’

‘There are many organisations, including the Muslim Council, mainly made up of men who are self-appointed community leaders who represent nobody but themselves. And it’s about time we started saying that and stopped taking their word as the word for all British Muslims in this country.’

One might throw the question right back at the pompous Baroness and ask whether, as a member of an unelected chamber in the British parliament, she is in any position to pontificate on issues of representation.

More important is her allegation that the MCB are ‘self appointed community leaders’. Anyone familiar with the procedures of the MCB’s Annual General Meeting, and one can only assume that the Baroness and Charles Moore would not condescend to apprise themselves of such things prior to making ignorant comments, will know that the leadership of the MCB, its Office Bearers, are elected by the affiliated members of the organization. There is nothing ‘self appointed’ about them.

One wonders, more pertinently, what Moore and Baroness Warsi understand from the freedom of association in a democracy. Especially, in the case of the latter, since political parties are constitutive of the very associational life a robust democracy rests upon.

Is it the Baroness’ contention that Muslims should join political parties but no other associations for the representation of their views in public life? And is this restriction to apply to Muslims only? Will we see similar disregard for organisations like the Board of Deputies of British Jews on grounds that British Jews should be shorn of associational freedom and engaged with on an individual basis only?

Muslims as citizens of Britain, a mature democracy, are at liberty, as are all other British citizens, to create and join any association they please in defence and promotion of their personal, group and professional interests. It’s called civil society and it is the essential bulwark in which individuals organise against the power and penetration of the state in society. It is shocking that a peer should show such ignorance on the essence of political concepts and freedoms in a democracy.

We hope the MCB will raise its strongest objections to the disgraceful display of ignorance by Moore and Warsi on yesterday’s Question Time with the BBC. It is highly objectionable that such grossly inaccurate and slanderous remarks could be cleared for broadcast by the BBC. The MCB should sue for libel.

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Hudaifa   |2009-03-13 14:30:00 Syeeda Warsi cannibalistic display towards this worthy community grouping was sad to see, in her desire to become the Conservative choice, she is willing to sacrifice all that a person should hold dear. You could actually see the venom in her eyes as she spoke about the MCB, the community should garner one thing alone from that attack…that any organised, principled unity and solidarity amongst us is disliked by the media and political elite.

Samina   |2009-03-13 15:36:04 I was shocked at Syeeda Warsi’s betrayal and haste to aid Mr Moore in his unfounded and completely out of context vilification of the MCB, what the hell did they have to do with the Luton protest, which was the basis of the question, in fact the Council has already rebuked the manner and method of this protest almost immediately. People should complain to Conservative Muslim Forum on 020 7984 8284.

Mohsin   |2009-03-13 16:45:17 Make you voice heard, complain about Ms Warsi ill-informed comments to conservativeforum@conservatives.com

Gerbil  - It becomes clearer day by day   |2009-03-13 16:52:58 With every day that passes it becomes clearer that the Zionists and their allies want to delegitimise any Muslim organisation or individual who does not meet their criterion of a 'moderate' Muslim ie one who submits to Israel. We have to be strong, remain united and have faith in God. These thieves and murderers will get their just desserts soon. Insha-Allah.

Zahid  - Question Time slander   |2009-03-13 18:45:58 AA I hope the MCB will seek a retraction and apology from Charles Moore upon his disgraceful and factually incorrect comments. When people like Sayeeda Warsi start attacking the MCB, it means that the MCB must be doing something right. I would urge people to write to Sayeeda Warsi. She needs to understand hundreds of organisations up and down the country, from diverse backgrounds, men and women and youth look upon the MCB to represent us, because we know the likes of Sayeeda Warsi will sell out to her Tory masters. WS

Zahra   |2009-03-13 22:35:02 Sayeeda Warsi should be ashamed of herself, does she have any allegiance to anything except the Conservatives, does she think she will stand behind David Cameron on the Day of Yawmal Kayama, I say thei because there is a succinct hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) which speaks about people being allotted on that day with those they loved, supported and aided in life...

Ashraful  - Mr   |2009-03-14 05:24:31 I don't think Sayeeda Warsi has any particularly derogotary views of the MCB. There is no need to make a mountain out of a molehill. The best response to Charles Moore would be for the MCB to reply to him, directly answer his questions and make clear that it supports all British soldiers overseas.

Yamin   |2009-03-14 11:45:25 'I don't think Sayeeda Warsi has any particularly derogotary views of the MCB'- Ashraful Dude did you watch the same Newsnight as me? As a Muslim she should have at least been balanced in her response, she could have at least defended the Council for its democratic nature and accomlishments over the last 12 years, but no she jumped on Charles Moores Islamophobic bandwagon.

shaz   |2009-03-24 12:45:20 Warsi is a known sell out, her title has got to her head. and don't be fooled by the equally sellout MCB who wish to quash the true understanding of Islam throught their corrupt methodology of pleasing their masters.

Anonymous   |2009-03-25 06:53:47 On Shaz: \'don\'t be fooled by the equally sellout MCB who wish to quash the true understanding of Islam through their corrupt methodology of pleasing their masters\' You really ought to substantiate your claims. what \'masters\' are you alluding to? I would have thought it was perfectly obvious that the knives are out for the MCB precisely because it refuses to bow to external pressure and heal at the government\'s bidding. Not the sort of action undertaken by one \'pleasing the master\'.

Muadib  - Slander definition   |2009-05-29 22:05:41 Surely you only commit slander if what you say is untrue...

Mahmood Bhamji  - Mr   |2009-05-30 08:05:54 I do not know why Muslims in this country get so worked up with comments and views of the likes of Charles Moore and Ms. Warsi. We know we know what their agenda is -which is to emasculate the Muslims or their organisagtions which differers from their of ambitions. Thats why the BBC loves put them on - keep stirring the pot - it makes 'good television'. Muslims should be strong in their faith and if God and truth is on their side - there is nothing to fear except God. That is the Islam.

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