Actions must be in the interests of the people of the Middle East
The Muslim Council of Britain today issues the following statement on the situation in the
Middle East:
The Muslim Council of Britain articulates the majority opinion that supports aspirations for
freedom,
rights to representative and transparent governance, dignity and peace. That feeling is felt
most by Britain’s Arab communities whose loved ones are affected by the events in the Middle
East and North Africa.
Whilst there is universal acknowledgement of the murderous nature of the Gaddafi regime,
there is also a confident but cautious support for the implementation of a No Fly Zone to stop
the Libyan regime from attacking its own people.
We urge the British government that the intervention keeps to the letter and spirit of the UN
Resolution 1973.
Above all, we must ensure that this action is conducted in accordance with the wishes of the
Libyan people.
We sincerely hope that this campaign ends soon and that our serving men and women are returned
from harm’s way.
Further afield, the Muslim Council of Britain urges our government to be consistent elsewhere in the
region and ensure that we speak out against governments perpetrating violence against their own
citizens who demand their rights through peaceful protests. In other countries in the region where
our government has good diplomatic relations,
we must insist that these regimes should not harm civilians and should not remain above international
law.
Many Britons have relatives and ties to these countries, we would do well to take heed of their anxieties
and act in accordance with the long delayed democratic aspirations of the Arab and Muslim world.
We appeal to the mosques and our affiliates to mobilise support for the charities offering relief to the victims
of violence and conflict in the region.
Graphic Video of Libyan Rebel Beheading Gadhaffi Soldier
WARNING! Disturbing Graphic Video. Do NOT watch if you are offended by graphic real violence.
The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK’s largest Muslim umbrella body with over 500 affiliated national,
regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.
write to MCB:
The Muslim Council of Britain,
PO Box 57330,
London,
E1 2WJ
Tel: 0845 26 26 786
Fax: 0207 247 7079 media@mcb.org.uk
