Hizb ut-Tahrir responds to Sunday Telegraph article

Tuesday, 14 April 2009

London, UK, April 13 2009 - On 12th April 2009, the Sunday Telegraph published an article in which it made various unfounded allegations against Hizb ut-Tahrir.

In response to the article and its allegations, we make the following statement for the record:

1. The article repeats the tired claim that Hizb ut-Tahrir acts as a "gateway" to more hardline organisations. We note that no evidence is provided for these claims. Indeed, the article makes it clear that no evidence has been forthcoming to link Hizb ut-Tahrir to violence since former PM Tony Blair threatened to ban the party in August 2005.

2. Hizb ut-Tahrir is a non-violent political organisation that was established in 1953. It has been working openly for over 50 years throughout the Muslim world criticising the actions of corrupt dictators who have been oppressing and exploiting the people. It has done this through organising political actions such as protests, demonstrations, petitions, vigils, leaflets and magazines. In January 2009 Hizb ut-Tahrir held a conference on the global economic crisis in Sudan titled drawing thousands of delegates from across the Muslim world.

3. The comments of Professor Glees speak volumes about his lack of knowledge about Hizb ut-Tahrir when he suggests that we intend to use violence to establish a Caliphate, when the party's track record of political struggle in the Muslim world is well known. Hizb ut-Tahrir has always made it clear that its objective is to re-establish an Islamic Caliphate State in the Muslim world.

4. Those who call for banning Hizb ut-Tahrir are frustrated by the growing success of the party's political work across the world, wish to silence Muslims who speak out against brutal colonialism and seek to impose their narrow views on the Muslim community.

5. This is not the first time that the Sunday Telegraph has chosen to make baseless and inaccurate allegations about Hizb ut-Tahrir. In July 2005 the paper alleged that the 7/7 bombers were linked to Hizb ut-Tahrir – again no evidence was provided for these claims, and the paper was later forced to publish a correction.

[Ends]

Add this Article to your Bookmark site