Inayat Bunglawala

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Inayat Bunglawala was media secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain until 2010.

He joined The Young Muslims UK in 1987. He is also a co-presenter of the weekly 'Politics and Media Show' on the Islam Channel (SKY 813).[1] In October 2009 he registered the domain name Muslims4UK.org.uk,[2] thus launching a group which is described as "set up to celebrate the UK's democratic traditions and promote active Muslim engagement in our society".[3]

Work

Some of Bunglawala's views as media secretary for the Muslim Council of Britain were quoted in the press. He has discussed matters of religion as well as politics.[4]

Tackling extremism together

Despite accusations of

Muslims.[5] He rejects these accusations as a "traditional Zionist tactic" aimed to "silence critics of Israel", as he is an outspoken defender of what he considers to be Israeli oppression of Palestinians.[6] Home Secretary Charles Clarke said in response: "I am grateful to the working groups for drawing up such constructive ideas. We look forward to continuing the dialogue with Muslim communities and supporting the work that they are undertaking.”[7]

Political views

Bunglawala has commented that many Muslims believed the UK's involvement in wars against Afghanistan and Iraq were a "key contributory factor in the radicalisation" of some young Muslims, but added: "extremists often paint a very unfair picture of the West. We all benefit from freedoms and opportunities here that are not exactly plentiful in many Muslim countries."[8]

He has been a critic of US foreign policy, saying: "The US government needs to demonstrate that it is prepared to be more even-handed in its relations with Muslims and Muslim countries."[9] Regarding the torture of Iraqis at Abu Ghraib by US soldiers, he said: "I think this type of activity by U.S. forces will only further anger the Muslim population of Iraq."[10]

Controversies

He opposed the banning of Hizb ut-Tahrir under the UK anti-terror laws.[11] Bunglawala considers Ahmed Yassin to be an important Islamic scholar and he opposes the Muslim Association of Britain's removal from the Muslim Council.[12]

In January 1993, Bunglawala wrote a letter to

September 11, 2001 attacks, Bunglawala also circulated writings of Osama bin Laden, whom he called a "freedom fighter", to hundreds of Muslims in Britain.[5][13]

References

  1. ^ Bunglawala, Inayat (27 March 2008). "Comment is free profile". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  2. ^ Bunglawala, Inayat (21 October 2009). "Stand tall against the extremists". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  3. ^ "Inayat Bunglawala Profile". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  4. ^ "Reflections on Ramadan". BBC. 25 November 2003. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  5. ^ a b Alasdair Palmer (21 August 2005). "Top job fighting extremism for Muslim who praised bomber". London: The Daily Telegraph.
  6. ^ New sources inflame an old hatred Archived 28 April 2004 at the Wayback Machine, The Age, 3 January 2004
  7. ^ "Tackling Extremism Together: Working groups report back to Home Secretary". The Home Office.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Politics | Muslims 'must root out extremism'". BBC News. 4 July 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  9. ^ ThinkExist.com Quotations. "Inayat Bunglawala quotes". Thinkexist.com. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  10. ^ ThinkExist.com Quotations. "Inayat Bunglawala quotes". Thinkexist.com. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  11. Islamonline.net
    , 18 July 2006
  12. Today programme, BBC News
    , 14 July 2005
  13. ^ Muslim leaders accuse BBC of witch hunt, by Martin Bright, The Observer, 21 August 2005
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