Anjem Choudary

[mikey4444]

Just to let people know, Anjem Choudary is just about to be interviewed
on the Today program. Given this chaps previous stance on Islamic extremism, it should make interesting listening !

[Kromovaracun]

"I think one could have said the same regarding a little 1st World War Corporal, and look how many he managed to represent?"

He won an election, and widespread popularity among the German population. He did that primarily by stoking peoples' fears and national insecurities and blaming his country's problems on people who were deemed "outsiders". He was a populist - Choudary isn't.

[ludwig]

^ Hitler was also dismissed as a ranting nutter with a minibus load of followers early on in his career krom. I'm not saying Anjem Choudhary will win an election or start a world war, just that people who spout hateful nonsense shouldn't be dismissed lightly.

[Brenden]

Why are the so called "moderate muslims" not turfing these fanatics out of their areas? Is it possible that they all believe what he is spouting and just biding their time for Sharia to come into force.

[bazwillrun]

like I said Brenden

theyre just biding theyre time

[Kromovaracun]

"Hitler was also dismissed as a ranting nutter with a minibus load of followers early on in his career krom"

That's because at that point in his career, he was. Nor was it a particularly unreasonable assessment of him - there were plenty of people virtually indistinguishable from him in the '20s who have been forgotten. The way he changed that was by winning significant levels of popular support (which he did for reasons entirely outside of his control), and progressively coming to dominate his country's parliament.

If Choudary ever looks like he can do that - I'll be scared of him. As it is, I'm not.

[ludwig]

// If Choudary ever looks like he can do that - I'll be scared of him. As it is, I'm not. //

I'm not scared that he may one day win massive popular support and go on to become a facist dictator who murders millions, but I am scared of his ability to influence the feeble minded like the two who murdered Lee Rigby.

[Kromovaracun]

Sorry Ludwig I just realised I didn't actually respond to the point you were making.

"people who spout hateful nonsense shouldn't be dismissed lightly. "

I can see the argument here... and I'm sure they're not dismissed lightly by the security services (well, I hope they're not anyway) and they deserve to be persecuted if they do something dangerous, or if the authorities have convincing evidence that they will attempt it.

But for the average person on the street, I think dismissing them is actually perfectly fine. Some of us have been the target of one rabid hate-preacher or another for as long as we can remember - the only difference with people like Choudary is that the target of his hate is the entire civilized world rather than just a section of it.

To tell the truth, deep down I don't *really* believe in censoring or prosecuting hate speech. I think it causes more problems than it solves. If that means letting idiots say what they want, then I'm okay with that.

[Brenden]

Do you include the BNF in your response Krom, taking their ideology down Brick Lane?

[whiskeryron]

How unkind we are to Anjem Choudary. Here is one of our bretherin who is extremely unhappy living in this dreadful country & obviously wishes he could live amongst people who practice Sharia law & think the same as him. I feel that especially at this time of year as it is Christmas time we should be kind to our fellow men & women & would therefore like to suggest that we bring him & his family a huge Christmas present by giving them free seats on the very next Aircraft leaving Brize Norton for Afghaniston where they can all live happily ever after.

WR.

[bazwillrun]

and meanwhile whilst choudary spews forth , the rest of the muslims are quitely sitting whilst he deflects all attention from their mission creep in this country

[Kromovaracun]

"Do you include the BNF in your response Krom, taking their ideology down Brick Lane? "

I'm too young to remember the National Front (assuming that's who you mean) - but yeah, I think I would. I certainly have the same attitude to the EDL, who are my generation's closest equivalent.

[FredPuli43]

Hitler succeded by persuading the majority to blame a minority for the country's ills and that the minority already had, or would obtain, power over the country, to the detriment of the rest . He did not care that that was not a realistic view, so long as it made him popular.

[ludwig]

I don't necessarily think he should be censored either. I think if there are people like him out there, we need to know it, and to know what they're saying and the things they're advocating to their followers, even if it's a relatively small group.

This must be the view the BBC takes as well.

[whiskeryron]

To Bazwillrun

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tongue-in-cheek

WR.

[Brenden]

Well no offence intended Krom, but if you are to young to remember the BNF you still have an awful lot to learn about life and people.

[Kromovaracun]

"Well no offence intended Krom, but if you are to young to remember the BNF you still have an awful lot to learn about life and people. "

Yeah, I do.

I tend to learn better when people engage with my opinions and converse with me rather than just say "Well, you're too young so you don't know anything."

[bazwillrun]

@WR
I understood your comment

Apologies,my comment wasnt directed at you or in reply it was to the general view that muslims are a benign benefit to this country, it just happened to be after your comment

[Brenden]

No Krom, I certainly did not insinuate you know nothing - I would not insult you - I just said you have a lot to learn about life and people.

[Kromovaracun]

Fair enough. I guess I can't argue with that! :)

[Gromit]

Comparing Choudray to Hitler is just plain barmy.

If you think he is going to grow his minibus load of acolytes into a vast army and threaten the world, then you are more deluded than he is.

When Choudray pulls off a publicity stunt like he did the other day protesting outside a Brick Lane off license, the number of photographers he invites exceeds the number of his foot soldiers. He is small fry and not worth you being scared of now, or when he attempts to rule the world.