Criticism Following Robert Jenrick's Remarks on Arresting Individuals Chanting Allahu Akba

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Controversy Erupts Over Robert Jenrick's Remarks on Arresting Individuals Chanting "Allahu Akbar." Robert Jenrick, a Tory leadership hopeful, has ignited a firestorm of criticism following his comments suggesting that individuals chanting "Allahu Akbar" on London streets should be immediately arrested. "Allahu Akbar," an Arabic phrase meaning "God is greater" or "God is [the] greatest," is commonly used in prayer and as a declaration of faith. Jenrick's remarks have drawn significant backlash from various quarters, with many accusing him of Islamophobia.

 

In an interview with Sky News, Jenrick voiced his discontent with the police's handling of recent protests. "I thought it was quite wrong that somebody could shout ‘Allahu Akbar’ on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested. Or project genocidal chants onto Big Ben and that person not be immediately arrested. That attitude is wrong and I’ll always call out the police.” His statement came in response to a recent incident where pro-Palestine protesters projected the phrase “From the river to the sea” onto Parliament, which some pro-Israel supporters interpreted as a call for the eradication of the state of Israel.

 

Jenrick later shared a video on social media showing men in balaclavas chanting "Allahu Akbar." He commented, “’Allahu Akbar’ is spoken peacefully and spiritually by millions of British Muslims in their daily lives. But the aggressive chanting below is intimidatory and threatening. And it’s an offence under Section 4 and 5 of the Public Order Act. Extremists routinely abuse common expressions for their own shameful ends. All violence must end. All violence must be called out.”

 

The Muslim Association of Britain strongly condemned Jenrick’s comments, labeling them as "pure unadulterated Islamophobia." The association argued that such rhetoric fuels Islamophobic sentiments and empowers far-right extremists. The Muslim Council echoed this sentiment, stating that Jenrick’s comments highlighted the presence of "institutional Islamophobia" within the Conservative Party. A spokesperson for the council urged Jenrick to apologize and retract his comments, suggesting he engage with Muslim communities to better understand the impact of his words.

 

Labour MP Naz Shah was among those demanding an apology from Jenrick, calling his comments "complete ignorance and textbook Islamophobia." Shah emphasized that "Allahu Akbar" is a fundamental expression of faith for Muslims, akin to Christians saying "Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour." She criticized Jenrick for potentially stigmatizing Muslims, urging him to educate himself about the Islamic faith. "Billions of us Muslims use it every day as part of our faith within our prayers. It is a common phrase like Christians would say ‘Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour’. Imagine in this climate, either being that ignorant or deliberately trying to stigmatise all Muslims. He should apologise and speak to Muslim communities and learn more about our faith.”

 

Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, also condemned Jenrick’s remarks, comparing "Allahu Akbar" to the Christian phrase "Hallelujah" and accusing Jenrick of exposing his prejudice against Muslims. "Another day, another senior Tory being Islamophobic. Allahu Akbar means God is great - the Muslim equivalent of Hallelujah. Jenrick‘s confidence in going on national TV to say people should be arrested for saying Allahu Akbar exposes his deep-seated prejudice against Muslims.”

 

Conservative peer Baroness Sayeeda Warsi described Jenrick's rhetoric as "nasty and divisive," highlighting that parliamentary prayers also involve praising God, similar to the phrase "Allahu Akbar." "Every day before we start parliamentary business in the Commons and Lords we say a prayer and praise God - we say our Parliamentary version of Allah hu Akbars at the heart of democracy - a process Robert Jenrick is a part of.”

 

The controversy surrounding Jenrick’s comments comes amid accusations of "two-tier policing" in the UK, a claim suggesting that police treat left-wing and Islamic protesters more leniently than white working-class protesters. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has denied these claims, insisting that policing is carried out impartially.

 

When Mr Jenrick was asked about his previous claim that “we have allowed our streets to be dominated by Islamist extremists”, a comment he made in February about a government vote on a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, the MP for Newark said: “I think I was absolutely right.” “There were instances back then when we had Islamist extremists on our streets. I’ve just given you one example, where you literally had somebody chanting, or chanting, ‘Allahu Akbar’ on Oxford Street. We saw people commending the Houthis for firing missiles at British flagged vessels in the seas. That is completely wrong. That is anti-British, we should be calling it out.”

 

Jenrick’s comments and the ensuing backlash underscore the tensions and sensitivities surrounding discussions of religious expressions and public safety. Critics argue that such statements risk alienating and stigmatizing Muslim communities, while supporters may view them as necessary for maintaining public order. As the debate continues, the need for careful and inclusive dialogue becomes ever more apparent.

 

Credit: The Independent  2024-08-08

 

 

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[Red Forever]

An anagram of Jenrick's constituency Newark is just what he is.

[GanDoonToonPet]

Christians arrested, and convicted, for praying silently in their own head but screaming 'Allahu Akbar' is racist...welcome to the multicultural UK in 2024.

 

BTW saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ in quiet prayer is perfectly acceptable but when groups of young Muslim men are screaming it on the streets...it's a warcry.

[cncltd1973]

accusing someone of Islamaphobia is an excellent example of 'gaslighting'. the Islamic cancer has spread into the very infrastructure of Britain, the brits are watching their island being taken away while Muslims accuse them of being 'islamaphobic'. meanwhile they are shutting down London on a weekday for their Muslim celebration to pray in the streets and parade with Arabic flags to sounds of Allah akbar. it's a hijacking of the highest order

Edited August 8 by cncltd1973
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_WQ0J9OfPgc

[James105]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Billions of us Muslims use it every day as part of our faith within our prayers.

 

This is very true.   Unfortunately it is also the last words spoken by Islamic terrorists when they stab someone, cut off their head or explode a bomb that kills innocents, so people are naturally quite wary when it is spoken out loud on the streets.   

 

Aren't there thousands of Mosques in the UK where people can tell their imaginary sky wizard/witch how great he or she is if that brings them comfort? 

Edited August 8 by James105

[sikishrory]

I remember the at the start of a flight from Penang - Phuket years ago the Captain ending his preflight address with "allah akbar, allah akbar, allah akbar".

I looked around to see the reaction in the cabin. All normal apparently.

[BKKBike09]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

“’Allahu Akbar’ is spoken peacefully and spiritually by millions of British Muslims in their daily lives. But the aggressive chanting below is intimidatory and threatening. And it’s an offence under Section 4 and 5 of the Public Order Act. Extremists routinely abuse common expressions for their own shameful ends. All violence must end. All violence must be called out.”

 

Perfectly reasonable comments.

 

Wave a Union Jack / Cross of St George in the stands at an England match = patriotic support for the country and team

 

Wave a Union Jack / Cross of St George next to a group of pro-Palestine demonstrators = racist intimidation by the 'far Right'.

 

It's all about context.

 

[proton]

It means Allah is the greatest, not quite the same as God is the greatest, THEIR all compassionate and merciful God which we see the results of around the world everyday. Bombings, stabbings, kidnappings, burnings, rapes. Of course there is no Allah, it's all a fantasy.

[PETERTHEEATER]

5 hours ago, Red Forever said:

An anagram of Jenrick's constituency Newark is just what he is.

His pseudonym is William Anker?😀

[john donson]

should be same punished as shouting FIRE in a theatre or bomb on airplane