London, UK, July 25 – In response to recent media coverage related to the dismissal of Dilpazier Aslam, a former trainee journalist at The Guardian newspaper, Hizb ut-Tahrir, a non-violent Islamic political party, rejects outright allegations that it is anti-Semitic or that it has incited violence.

We deny the allegation that Hizb ut-Tahrir has encouraged the killing of Jews in Britain. History is testament to the fact that many Jews used to live with Muslims under the banner of Islam for almost thirteen centuries. Throughout those periods Jews used to have the same high standard of living as the Muslims did. They enjoyed equal rights, prosperity, happiness, tranquillity and security.

We reject decisively the charge of anti-Semitism because Islam is a message directed to all humankind. However, at the same time we reject Zionism represented in the form of Israel and Hizb ut-Tahrir, like the majority of other Muslim organisations, is opposed to the continued brutal occupation of Palestine by the Israeli State.

Dr Imran Waheed, the Representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said, "While Blair preaches a worldwide struggle for 'freedom', the dismissal of Dilpazier Aslam, a member of a non-violent political party, illustrates that in Blair's Britain the media will not tolerate legitimate political expression."

Notes to Editors:

Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain is the UK branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir, a global independent Islamic political party. The global leader of Hizb ut-Tahrir, Ata Abu Rushta, is in the Muslim world. The party works throughout the Islamic world to resume the Islamic way of life by re-establishing the Islamic Khilafah [Caliphate].