I accept that there will be a plethora of people out their who will vehemently disagree with the title of this blogpost. Julian Ware-Lane writes about it here. Islam4UK is an extremist organisation that gives a platform to radicalised Muslims who do not represent mainstream Islam. They plan to march through Wootton Bassett in protest against Britain’s continuing presence in Afghanistan.
I share the anger of those who have joined the groups on Facebook and expressed sentiments in different forums. However I don’t share the view that this march should be banned. Just as I would never support the banning of a BNP protest. We live in a democracy. As such we have the right to protest peacefully. I may find the way in which groups protest abhorrent, I may find their motives disgusting but as long as they’re peaceful I think they should be allowed to protest. Banning their protest and compromising our democracy will give them the oxygen they need.
So let the march go ahead. Let other extremist groups march. In a democracy these elements will always exist. The best answer to this protest would be to continue honouring our troops in the same manner as always. Any other reaction, I fear, will be victory for Islam4UK.
