Britain’s first Muslim minister has been barred from addressing IslamExpo, Europe’s biggest Islamic cultural event, over opposition from the ruling Labour party, reported the Guardian on Monday, July 14.
“I obviously apologized to the organizers,” International Development Minister Shahid Malik said.
“It was unfortunately due to matters outside of my control.”
Malik had been due to address the opening ceremony of IslamExpo on Friday, July 11, along with Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes and former London mayor Ken Livingstone.
But opposition from Labour officials forced the Muslim minister to stay away from the event.
“We have reservations about the organizers of the event, therefore we [the government] chose not to send any ministers,” said a spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government.
IslamExpo is considered one of the biggest Islamic culture event in Europe.
This year’s exhibition brings together a galaxy of dignitaries including Livingstone, Swiss-based Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan, Secretary General of the umbrella Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) Muhammad Abdul Bari and prominent Muslim singer Yusuf Islam.
The gala features lectures and seminars on diverse topics such as art, literature, science, architecture, technology theology and politics as well as films, dramas, a photographic exhibition, concerts, comedy, theatre, live shows and fun educational activities for children.
Pressures
Hours before the event, Malik contacted IslamExpo director Anas Altikriti to apologize for not attending.
“It seems that by Wednesday he got into difficulty with certain people - within his own party - advising him not to come,” Altikriti said.
“Shahid realized the importance of the event and was going to try everything in his power to make it. He realized … how untrue the criticism of the events and the organizers were.”
Opponents claimed that some of the organizers have political support for the Palestinian group Hamas.
“A few hours before, he informed me that the pressure was mounting from all quarters … After that he called and apologized for not being able to turn up,” said Altikriti.
“[Malik] had been told that among the organizers were people associated with Hamas. This isn’t a Hamas project.
“It’s quite breathtaking … to ban one of the most prominent Muslim politicians and [stop] him saying what he wishes.”
Tory Muslim peer Lord Sheikh had also been due to attend IslamExpo opening.
Altikriti said the peer had been unable to make it due to a bad back.
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